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Read. Follow. Verify.Alabama HB 358 requires foreign political agents and organizations to register with the Secretary of State
Last action · February 25, 2026: Read for the Second Time and placed on the CalendarSponsor: Ed Oliver
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What This Bill Would Do
Starting October 1, 2026, agents of certain s and foreign-supported political organizations engaging in political activity in Alabama must register with the Secretary of State and file periodic updates. The Secretary of State is authorized to investigate violations and impose civil penalties ranging up to $200,000 for willful or repeat violations. Penalties may be appealed to the State Ethics Commission.
Political organizations and individuals receiving funds from designated foreign countries who influence Alabama elections or public policy will face mandatory disclosure rules and financial penalties for non-compliance, with appeals handled by the State Ethics Commission.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Agents of foreign principals
Must file registration statements with the Secretary of State, submit periodic updates every 90 days, and face potential civil penalties for non-compliance.
Foreign supported political organizations
Required to register annually by December 31, update information every 90 days, and disclose financial expenditures and contributions.
Secretary of State
Responsible for prescribing forms, receiving registrations and updates, investigating complaints, imposing civil penalties, and referring penalty reviews to the State Ethics Commission.
State Ethics Commission
Authorized to review referred civil penalties and set them aside or reduce them upon a showing of good cause.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is required to register under this bill?
What are the penalties for failing to file?
Can a civil penalty be appealed?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently on floor. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Passed.
Procedural history
5 actions- Feb 25, 2026HouseRead for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar
- Feb 25, 2026HouseCommitteeReported Out of Committee House of Origin
- Feb 25, 2026HouseEthics and Campaign Finance 1st Substitute
- Jan 29, 2026HouseCommitteePending Committee Action in House of Origin
- Jan 29, 2026HouseIntroducedRead for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Ethics and Campaign Finance
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Mandatory Foreign Agent Registration
The legislation introduces state-level registration and disclosure requirements for foreign agents and foreign-supported political organizations operating within Alabama.
Connected Entities
Sources
alison.legislature.state.al.us
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance65How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy50Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz40Current news / social attention level
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