MONTGOMERY — Members of the Alabama Senate passed legislation on Thursday banning foreign nationals and foreign corporations from donating to political candidates or political action committees.
The bill by State Rep. James Lomax (R-Huntsville) and State Sen. Dan Roberts (R-Mountain Brook) would prohibit foreign nationals from contributing to campaigns, ballot measures, political parties, or political action committees and prohibit political parties, political action committees, principal campaign committees, and others from soliciting campaign contributions from foreign nationals.
"Under current federal law, foreign nationals are banned from donating to political candidates and committees," Roberts said on the Senate floor. "Loopholes in the law have led to millions of foreign dollars being funneled to influence ballot issue campaigns like constitutional amendment referendums across the United States. Currently, Alabama does not have a matching state law. Therefore, state and local prosecutors do not have the ability to pursue instances of criminal foreign influence on our elections."
The bill now heads to Gov. Kay Ivey for her signature.
"Representative Lomax has been a strong advocate for HB 214. I am grateful for his commitment to bolstering election security and protecting Alabama elections from foreign influence. I also thank Senator Roberts for his hard work pushing this bill through the Alabama Senate," Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen said on Thursday. "Alabama's hardworking men and women deserve elections that are funded honestly and transparently. This bill protects Alabama elections against potential influence and manipulation from foreign actors with America-last agendas. I am thankful to see the Alabama Legislature take this important step to safeguard Alabama elections. I look forward to HB 214 being signed into Alabama law."
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