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House approves bill to bar foreign funding of ballot campaigns, tighten rules on election administration
Summary
The Louisiana House on May 5 approved House Bill 590, a measure that bars foreign governments and entities from funding campaigns for ballot measures and restricts foreign involvement in election administration; sponsor lawmakers said the bill closes a loophole affecting ballot initiatives and is a companion to earlier state legislation.
BATON ROUGE, La. — The Louisiana House of Representatives passed House Bill 590 on final passage on May 5, approving a statutory ban on foreign government or foreign-entity funding for ballot propositions and expanding prohibitions on foreign influence in election administration. The bill passed on a roll call of 87 yays and 7 nays.
Supporters say the bill closes a gap that federal law does not explicitly address for ballot measures. Representative Spell, the bill’s sponsor, described HB 590 as part of a broader effort to “ensure the integrity of election in the state of Louisiana, and closing a loophole that could be exploited.”
The bill prohibits donations of funds, goods or services by foreign governments, foreign entities or noncitizens for the purpose of supporting or opposing ballot propositions, candidates or political parties. It also imposes penalties on foreign entities that violate the measure, including fines up to twice the donation amount and potential imprisonment of up to five years, and requires return of unlawful donations when an individual has “actual knowledge” the contribution originated from a foreign source.
Sponsor’s office and other proponents framed the measure as the state complement to a 2023 package of laws that restricted private funding of election administrators. Representative Spell said the bill is a “statutory companion of SB 109, and Act 200 of the 2023 regular session,” and that it “explicitly prohibits foreign entities from attempting to control or influence the outcome of measures on the ballot.”
Members raised questions about the scope of the ban. Representative Willard asked whether the prohibition on “services” could be interpreted to include volunteer time from a noncitizen. Representative Spell replied that the bill targets larger, in-kind donations and “services that are offered as an in-kind donation at a certain level of heftiness,” and that the Office of the Secretary of State should be consulted on specific cases. Representative Marcel and others sought—and the sponsor agreed to—an amendment to clarify whether voluntary door‑knocking or other unpaid volunteer activity by noncitizens would be covered.
The bill includes exceptions for funds that are generated through operations inside the United States and references existing state election code provisions (see authorities). Supporters said the change is preventive—aimed at reported cases in other states where foreign funding was tied to ballot campaigns—and would deter foreign attempts to influence measures by supplying large sums to support or oppose ballot propositions.
After its House approval HB 590 moves to the Senate as part of the 2025 legislative session work on election-related measures. The final bill text, sponsor amendments and the secretary of state’s guidance will determine how election officials and volunteers are affected in practice.
