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 or funding Alabama state and local campaigns and related elections, and establish penalties for violations.

What This Bill Does

Defines 'foreign national' and bars them from directly or indirectly contributing, donating, or spending on Alabama elections, including to campaigns, political parties, PACs, or electioneering communications. It also prohibits soliciting or accepting such funds and imposes Class C felony penalties for violations. The act allows small exceptions for membership dues or conference fees under specific conditions and directs enforcement to use applicable federal guidance; it takes effect October 1, 2026. It also sets a $1,000 cap on funds raised by a federal candidate's principal committee for Alabama state/local campaigns.

Who It Affects

• Foreign nationals: cannot make, solicit, or receive contributions or expenditures for Alabama state/local elections or related political activities.
• State/local candidate committees, political parties, and political action committees: must not accept or solicit prohibited funds from foreign nationals; subject to penalties for violations.
• Recipients and fund-handling entities: must verify sources and may rely on credible evidence to show funds are not from foreign nationals; certain dues or conference fees may be exempt under conditions.
• Secretary of State and Alabama Ethics Commission: tasked with enforcing the act and using applicable FEC guidance to interpret foreign national campaign restrictions.

Key Provisions

• Defines 'foreign national' to include non-citizens, foreign governments or subdivisions, foreign political parties, foreign entities, and certain U.S. entities with foreign control, with conditions to ensure not all decisions are made by foreign nationals.
• Prohibits foreign nationals from making, soliciting, or receiving contributions or expenditures for state/local elections, and from contributing to state/local party committees or PACs or funding electioneering communications.
• Imposes penalties: Class C felony for knowingly and willfully violations of the foreign national prohibition or related fundraising restrictions.
• Limits campaign funds raised by a federal candidate's principal committee for Alabama state/local campaigns to $1,000.
• Provides exceptions for membership dues, conference fees, and event fees under specific conditions; includes presumption rules and alignment with FEC guidance; effective October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano-2025-08-07 on Mar 10, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Elections, Voting, & Campaigns