Shown verbatim: the complete text as captured from the official PDF posted by the Arkansas General Assembly, fetched 2026-07-23. Page and line markers are part of the official record; nothing is edited or removed. The official bill page.
Stricken language would be deleted from and underlined language would be added to present law.
1 State of Arkansas As Engrossed: H4/1/25 S4/8/25
2 95th General Assembly
A Bill
3 Regular Session, 2025 HOUSE BILL 1800
4
5 By: Representative McAlindon
6 By: Senator M. McKee
7
8 For An Act To Be Entitled
9 AN ACT TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DISCLOSURE FOR
10 CAMPAIGN FINANCE; TO REQUIRE DISCLOSURE BY A
11 REPRESENTATIVE OF A HOSTILE FOREIGN PRINCIPAL; TO
12 AMEND PORTIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE THAT RESULTED
13 FROM INITIATED ACT 1 OF 1990; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
14
15
16 Subtitle
17 TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DISCLOSURE
18 FOR CAMPAIGN FINANCE; TO REQUIRE
19 DISCLOSURE BY A REPRESENTATIVE OF A
20 HOSTILE FOREIGN PRINCIPAL; AND TO AMEND
21 PORTIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE THAT
22 RESULTED FROM INITIATED ACT 1 OF 1990.
23
24 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS:
25
26 SECTION 1. Arkansas Code � 7-6-217(g)(1) - (3), concerning the
27 creation of the Arkansas Ethics Commission and resulting from Initiated Act 1
28 of 1990, is amended to read as follows:
29 (g) The commission shall have the authority to:
30 (1) Under the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act, � 25-15-201
31 et seq., promulgate reasonable rules to implement and administer the
32 requirements of this subchapter, as well as � 7-1-114 [repealed]; the
33 Disclosure Act for Public Initiatives, Referenda, and Measures Referred to
34 Voters, � 7-9-401 et seq.; � 19-11-718; � 21-8-301 et seq.; the Disclosure
35 Act for Lobbyists and State and Local Officials, � 21-8-401 et seq., � 21-8-
36 601 et seq., � 21-8-701 et seq., and � 21-8-801 et seq.; � 21-8-901 et seq.;
*SSS067* 04-08-2025 16:49:13 SSS067
As Engrossed: H4/1/25 S4/8/25 HB1800
1 � 21-8-1001 et seq.; � 21-8-1101 et seq.; � 25-1-125; and Arkansas
2 Constitution, Article 19, �� 28-30; and to govern procedures before the
3 commission, matters of commission operations, and all investigative and
4 disciplinary procedures and proceedings;
5 (2) Issue advisory opinions and guidelines on the requirements
6 of � 6-24-101 et seq.; � 7-1-103(a)(1)-(4), (6), and (7); � 7-1-114
7 [repealed]; this subchapter; the Disclosure Act for Public Initiatives,
8 Referenda, and Measures Referred to Voters, � 7-9-401 et seq.; � 19-11-718; �
9 21-8-301 et seq.; the Disclosure Act for Lobbyists and State and Local
10 Officials, � 21-8-401 et seq., � 21-8-601 et seq., � 21-8-701 et seq., and �
11 21-8-801 et seq.; � 21-8-901 et seq.; � 21-8-1001 et seq.; � 21-8-1101 et
12 seq.; � 25-1-125; and Arkansas Constitution, Article 19, �� 28-30;
13 (3) After a citizen complaint has been submitted to the
14 commission, investigate alleged violations of � 6-24-101 et seq.; � 7-1-
15 103(a)(1)-(4), (6), and (7); � 7-1-114 [repealed]; this subchapter; the
16 Disclosure Act for Public Initiatives, Referenda, and Measures Referred to
17 Voters, � 7-9-401 et seq.; � 19-11-718; � 21-1-401 et seq.; � 21-8-301 et
18 seq.; the Disclosure Act for Lobbyists and State and Local Officials, � 21-8-
19 401 et seq., � 21-8-601 et seq., � 21-8-701 et seq., and � 21-8-801 et seq.;
20 � 21-8-901 et seq.; � 21-8-1001 et seq.; � 21-8-1101 et seq.; � 25-1-125; and
21 Arkansas Constitution, Article 19, �� 28-30; and render findings and
22 disciplinary action thereon;
23
24 SECTION 2. Arkansas Code � 7-6-218(a)(1), concerning citizen
25 complaints filed with the Arkansas Ethics Commission and resulting from
26 Initiated Act 1 of 1990, is amended to read as follows:
27 (a)(1) Any citizen may file a complaint with the Arkansas Ethics
28 Commission against a person covered by this subchapter, by � 6-24-101 et
29 seq.; � 7-1-103(a)(1)-(4), (6), or (7); � 7-1-114 [repealed]; the Disclosure
30 Act for Public Initiatives, Referenda, and Measures Referred to Voters, � 7-
31 9-401 et seq.; � 21-1-401 et seq.; � 21-8-301 et seq.; the Disclosure Act for
32 Lobbyists and State and Local Officials, � 21-8-401 et seq., � 21-8-601 et
33 seq., � 21-8-701 et seq., and � 21-8-801 et seq.; � 21-8-901 et seq.; � 21-8-
34 1001 et seq.; � 21-8-1101 et seq.; � 25-1-125; and Arkansas Constitution,
35 Article 19, �� 28-30, for an alleged violation of the subchapters or
36 sections. For purposes of this subdivision (a)(1), the Arkansas Ethics
2 04-08-2025 16:49:13 SSS067
As Engrossed: H4/1/25 S4/8/25 HB1800
1 Commission shall be considered a citizen.
2
3 SECTION 3. Arkansas Code � 7-6-218(b)(1)(A), concerning citizen
4 complaints filed with the Arkansas Ethics Commission and resulting from
5 Initiated Act 1 of 1990, is amended to read as follows:
6 (b)(1)(A) Upon a complaint stating facts constituting an alleged
7 violation signed under penalty of perjury by any person, the Arkansas Ethics
8 Commission shall investigate the alleged violation of this subchapter or � 6-
9 24-101 et seq.; � 7-1-103(a)(1)-(4), (6), or (7); � 7-1-114 [repealed]; the
10 Disclosure Act for Public Initiatives, Referenda, and Measures Referred to
11 Voters, � 7-9-401 et seq.; � 21-1-401 et seq.; � 21-8-301 et seq.; the
12 Disclosure Act for Lobbyists and State and Local Officials, � 21-8-401 et
13 seq., � 21-8-601 et seq., � 21-8-701 et seq., and � 21-8-801 et seq.; � 21-8-
14 901 et seq.; � 21-8-1001 et seq.; � 21-8-1101 et seq.; � 25-1-125; and
15 Arkansas Constitution, Article 19, �� 28-30.
16
17 SECTION 4. Arkansas Code � 7-6-218(b)(4), concerning citizen
18 complaints filed with the Arkansas Ethics Commission and resulting from
19 Initiated Act 1 of 1990, is amended to read as follows:
20 (4) If the Arkansas Ethics Commission finds a violation of this
21 subchapter; � 6-24-101 et seq.; � 7-1-103(a)(1)-(4), (6), or (7); � 7-1-114
22 [repealed]; � 21-1-401 et seq.; � 21-8-301 et seq.; the Disclosure Act for
23 Lobbyists and State and Local Officials, � 21-8-401 et seq., � 21-8-601 et
24 seq., � 21-8-701 et seq., and � 21-8-801 et seq.; � 21-8-901 et seq.; � 21-8-
25 1001 et seq.; � 21-8-1101 et seq.; � 25-1-125; or Arkansas Constitution,
26 Article 19, �� 28-30, then the Arkansas Ethics Commission shall do one (1) or
27 more of the following, unless good cause be shown for the violation:
28 (A) Issue a public letter of caution or warning or
29 reprimand;
30 (B)(i) Notwithstanding the provisions of �� 7-6-202, 7-9-
31 409, 21-8-403, and 21-8-903, and 21-8-1105, impose a fine of not less than
32 fifty dollars ($50.00) nor more than three thousand five hundred dollars
33 ($3,500) for negligent or intentional violation of this subchapter; � 6-24-
34 101 et seq.; � 7-1-114 [repealed]; the Disclosure Act for Public Initiatives,
35 Referenda, and Measures Referred to Voters, � 7-9-401 et seq.; � 21-8-301 et
36 seq.; the Disclosure Act for Lobbyists and State and Local Officials, � 21-8-
3 04-08-2025 16:49:13 SSS067
As Engrossed: H4/1/25 S4/8/25 HB1800
1 401 et seq., � 21-8-601 et seq., � 21-8-701 et seq., and � 21-8-801 et seq.;
2 � 21-8-901 et seq.; � 21-8-1001 et seq.; � 21-8-1101 et seq.; � 25-1-125; or
3 Arkansas Constitution, Article 19, �� 28-30.
4 (ii) A fine for violating � 7-1-114 [repealed];
5 shall not exceed one hundred fifty dollars ($150).
6 (iii) The Arkansas Ethics Commission shall adopt
7 rules governing the imposition of such fines in accordance with the
8 provisions of the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act, � 25-15-201 et seq.
9 (iv) All moneys received by the Arkansas Ethics
10 Commission in payment of fines shall be deposited into the State Treasury as
11 general revenues;
12 (C) Order the respondent to file or amend a statutorily
13 required disclosure form; or
14 (D)(i) Report its finding, along with such information and
15 documents as it deems appropriate, and make recommendations to the proper law
16 enforcement authorities.
17 (ii) When exercising the authority provided in this
18 subdivision (b)(4), the Arkansas Ethics Commission is not required to make a
19 finding of a violation of the laws under its jurisdiction.
20
21 Subchapter 11 ---- Disclosure by Representatives of a Hostile Foreign
22 Principal
23
24 21-8-1101. Legislative findings.
25 The General Assembly finds that:
26 (1) The voters, citizens, and policymakers of this state are
27 entitled to transparency in the political and propaganda activities of
28 organizations that may be controlled by or under the influence of foreign
29 countries hostile to the interests of this state and of the United States;
30 (2) In an increasingly globalized world, determining whether an
31 organization's political and propaganda activities are funded by hostile
32 foreign interests is often difficult; and
33 (3) Legislation is needed to ensure the transparency necessary
34 to allow voters, citizens, and policymakers to evaluate whether political and
35 propaganda activities are funded by potentially hostile foreign actors.
36
4 04-08-2025 16:49:13 SSS067
As Engrossed: H4/1/25 S4/8/25 HB1800
1 21-8-1102. Definitions.
2 As used in this subchapter:
3 (1) "Foreign-supported political organization" means a political
4 party or a domestic partnership, association, corporation, organization, or
5 any other combination of persons that has, within the past five (5) calendar
6 years, received money or other things of value from a hostile foreign
7 principal or a representative of a hostile foreign principal and that engages
8 in political activity;
9 (2) "Hostile foreign nation" means the:
10 (A) People's Republic of China;
11 (B) Russian Federation;
12 (C) Democratic People's Republic of Korea; or
13 (D) Islamic Republic of Iran;
14 (3) "Hostile foreign principal" means:
15 (A) A government of a hostile foreign nation, a political
16 party of a hostile foreign nation, or any member of a political party of a
17 hostile foreign nation;
18 (B) A nonresident alien of a hostile foreign nation; or
19 (C) A partnership, association, corporation, organization,
20 or other combination of persons organized under the law of or having its
21 principal place of business in a hostile foreign nation;
22 (4) "Political activity" means an activity that is performed to
23 influence an agency or public official of this state, a local government
24 entity within this state, or the public within this state, with reference to:
25 (A) Formulating, adopting, or changing the policies or
26 laws of this state; or
27 (B) Electing or opposing a candidate for local or state
28 public office, not including campaign donations; and
29 (5) "Representative of a hostile foreign principal" means a
30 person:
31 (A) Who acts as an agent, employee, representative, or
32 servant, or otherwise acts at the order, request, or under the direction or
33 control of a hostile foreign principal;
34 (B) Whose actions are financed in whole or in part by a
35 hostile foreign principal; and
36 (C) Who engages in political activity.
5 04-08-2025 16:49:13 SSS067
As Engrossed: H4/1/25 S4/8/25 HB1800
1
2 21-8-1103. Transparency in representation of hostile foreign
3 principals.
4 (a)(1) Except as otherwise provided in this subchapter, a person shall
5 not act as a representative of a hostile foreign principal unless the person
6 has filed a true and complete registration statement with the Secretary of
7 State as required by this subchapter.
8 (2) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person who
9 becomes a representative of a hostile foreign principal shall file a
10 registration statement under oath with the Secretary of State within ten (10)
11 days of the person's becoming a representative of a hostile foreign
12 principal.
13 (3) The obligation of a representative of a hostile foreign
14 principal to file a registration statement, after the tenth day of becoming a
15 representative of a hostile foreign principal, shall continue from day to
16 day, and termination of status as a representative of a hostile foreign
17 principal shall not relieve the representative of a hostile foreign principal
18 from the obligation to file a registration statement for the period during
19 which he or she was a representative of a hostile foreign principal.
20 (b) The registration statement required under this section shall
21 include the following:
22 (1) The registrant's:
23 (A) Name;
24 (B) Principal business address;
25 (C) Other business addresses in the United States or
26 elsewhere; and
27 (D) Residence addresses, if any; and
28 (2) A comprehensive statement of the nature of the registrant's
29 business.
30 (c) A registered representative of a hostile foreign principal under
31 this subchapter shall update the registration statement required under this
32 section no less frequently than quarterly.
33
34 21-8-1104. Transparency in foreign-supported political organizations.
35 (a) No later than January 31, 2026, and each following year, each
36 foreign-supported political organization shall register with the Secretary of
6 04-08-2025 16:49:13 SSS067
As Engrossed: H4/1/25 S4/8/25 HB1800
1 State and provide the following information:
2 (1) The name of the foreign-supported political organization,
3 its business address, and upon request the names, titles, and addresses of
4 all officers and directors of the foreign-supported political organization;
5 (2) If the foreign-supported political organization is
6 affiliated with or a chapter of a national organization, the name of the
7 national organization, its address, and the names and addresses of its
8 officers and directors;
9 (3) A detailed statement of any expenditures of money or other
10 things of value made by the foreign-supported political organization within
11 the prior calendar year to influence an agency or public official of this
12 state, a local government entity within this state, or the public within this
13 state, with reference to formulating, adopting, or changing the policies or
14 laws of this state or electing a candidate to local or state public office;
15 and
16 (4) A detailed statement of all money or other thing of value
17 received by the foreign-supported political organization from a hostile
18 foreign principal or a representative of a hostile foreign principal during
19 the prior calendar year.
20 (b) A foreign-supported political organization under this subchapter
21 shall update the registration statement required under this section no less
22 frequently than annually.
23
24 21-8-1105. Penalties for violation.
25 (a) Upon receipt of a complaint that a representative of a hostile
26 foreign principal or a foreign-supported political organization has failed to
27 comply with the registration and reporting requirements of this subchapter,
28 or upon his or her own determination, the Secretary of State may investigate
29 and assess penalties for the violation of this subchapter.
30 (b) The Secretary of State may assess the following civil penalties:
31 (1) For any violation of this subchapter, up to five hundred
32 dollars ($500) per violation; and
33 (2) For willful or repeated violations of this subchapter, up to
34 two thousand dollars ($2,000) per violation.
35
36 21-8-1106. Rules.
7 04-08-2025 16:49:13 SSS067
As Engrossed: H4/1/25 S4/8/25 HB1800
1 The Secretary of State shall promulgate rules to:
2 (1) Create and maintain registration statement forms as
3 described under this subchapter; and
4 (2) Implement this subchapter.
5
6 /s/McAlindon
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
8 04-08-2025 16:49:13 SSS067Every fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record.