House adopts bill mirroring federal ban on foreign-national campaign contributions after extended floor debate

The Alabama House adopted HB 363 on the floor, a measure the sponsor described as mirroring federal law to prohibit foreign nationals from contributing to candidates, political action committees and ballot referendums in Alabama.

Representative Lomax, the bill sponsor, told the chamber the legislation is intended to close a loophole that allows foreign-based money to influence state or local ballot referendums. Lomax said the measure mirrors existing federal prohibitions and that the Secretary of State and the County Commission Association reviewed the proposal and gave it a green light.

Several members questioned practical enforcement and verification. Members asked how donation recipients should determine whether a contributor is a "foreign national," whether a contribution drawn on a U.S. bank account but made by a foreign national would be prohibited, and what steps campaigns or local election officials should follow if a contribution is later found to have been made by a foreign national. The sponsor responded that the bill follows federal practice — including disclaimers on solicitations — and that campaigns should refund ineligible contributions when discovered. The sponsor and other members urged compliance with federal definitions and noted the bill would allow local and state enforcement to intervene.

Why it matters: The bill extends federal campaign-finance concepts to state and local elections and ballot measures, and floor discussion focused on practical verification, liability and whether extra administrative burdens would fall on candidates or county election officials.

What the House did: The House adopted the committee report and passed HB 363. Sponsors said state-level enforcement mechanisms would be available; implementation will involve the Secretary of State's office.

Quotes: "This mirrors federal law, and it also closes a loophole of foreign nationals contributing to ballot referendums or constitutional amendments," Representative Lomax said.

"If you've donated to a federal campaign, there is a disclaimer at the bottom of solicitations... foreign nationals are prohibited from contributing to this campaign," the sponsor said on the floor, explaining the bill's compliance with existing federal practice.

Next steps: The measure passed the House and will be sent through enrollment and then to the governor. Officials and campaigns will need to review campaign solicitation language and contribution verification procedures to comply with the new state-level statute.