Nebraska senators spar over bill creating state-level foreign-adversary registration and penalties

Lincoln — Lawmakers spent much of the floor session debating LB644, a bill that would create a Nebraska registration regime for persons and organizations acting on behalf of foreign adversaries or designated terrorist groups, and would add civil penalties and reporting requirements.

The bill’s sponsor, Senator Brett Bostar, said the measure is meant to create transparency about foreign influence in state affairs and to align some state reporting with federal standards. “There’s a number of differences, probably the largest difference. Is there are carve outs for lobbyists in federal Farah,” Bostar told colleagues while explaining differences with the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).

Supporters said the measure would give state officials more visibility into influence operations; critics warned it is broad, risks chilling protected activity, and may exceed legislative authority over postsecondary institutions.

Many senators voiced constitutional and practical…