This piece was originally published on The SCIF, the blog of the National Security Institute.
This piece is the second of a two-part series exploring how federal and state efforts to reform transparency rules to expose malign foreign influence in policy discussions. The first article, published on April 24, examined federal reforms. This article examines state efforts.
While Congress works to strengthen foreign representation and lobbying rules, state lawmakers are also considering legislation to increase transparency and curb malign foreign influence. To begin, states have varying definitions of lobbyist and disclosure rules that differ from federal regulations. According to the National Council of State Legislatures’ analysis of state lobbying registration requirements, no state has specific requirements for lobbyists representing foreign governments or interests. That may soon change however as states are now considering passing state FARA laws with much more extensive disclosure requirements.
In Arizona, state Rep. Matt Gress has introduced legislation that would require extensive new disclosures from people acting as agents of foreign governments or entities from countries of concern, such as China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Venezuela. The law requires detailed disclosures about financial relationships, the people involved with the organization being represented, and activities that the agent will be undertaking. The law also covers a broad range of activities beyond lobbying, including conveying or transmitting propaganda, and it also extends to students and employees of colleges and universities, requiring them to register if they are acting as foreign agents. People who violate the law would face felony charges and $50,000 or $100,000 fines. Postsecondary school students or employees could also be dismissed or expelled if they violate the law.
