House Bill 214 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

James LomaxRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Fair Campaign Practices Act; prohibit campaign contributions and expenditures from foreign nationals

Summary

HB214 would prohibit foreign nationals from contributing to Alabama campaigns and related entities (including ballot measures, parties, and PACs) and would bar solicitation of such funds, with penalties and definitions.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the bill would bar foreign nationals from directly or indirectly contributing to state or local elections, ballot measures, political parties, or political action committees, and from spending on campaigns or electioneering communications. It would also prohibit political parties, PACs, principal campaign committees, and others from soliciting or receiving funds or expenditures from foreign nationals. The bill sets penalties for violations, defines key terms like “foreign national,” and directs state ethics agencies to apply federal guidance to avoid confusion. It would take effect on October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• Foreign nationals would be barred from contributing to Alabama political campaigns or related activities and could face penalties for violations.
• State and local campaigns, political parties, PACs, and principal campaign committees would be restricted from soliciting, accepting, or using funds from foreign nationals and must maintain compliance with the new rules.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits foreign nationals from making contributions or donations to state/local campaigns, ballot measures, political parties, or PACs, directly or indirectly.
• Prohibits solicitations, acceptance, or receipt of contributions, expenditures, or electioneering communications described in the bill from foreign nationals.
• Imposes Class C felony penalties for violations and for knowingly and willfully violating the prohibitions.
• Provides a rebuttable presumption that funds are not from a foreign national if a notice is included stating funds are not being solicited from foreign nationals.
• Defines “foreign national” to include non-citizens, foreign governments or subdivisions, foreign political parties, foreign- country entities, and U.S. entities majority owned by foreign nationals under specified conditions.
• Allows credible evidence that the contributor or source is not a foreign national to avoid violation findings.
• Requires alignment with Federal Election Commission guidance under 52 U.S.C. § 30121 to minimize regulatory confusion.
• Includes carve-outs for membership dues, conference fees, or event sponsorships where the organization is not a foreign national, funds derive primarily from U.S. operations, and election decisions are not controlled by foreign nationals.
• Effective date: October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 11, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Elections, Voting, & Campaigns