House Passes Ban on Foreign Influence in Alabama Elections

The Alabama House of Representatives on Tuesday approved legislation aimed at closing gaps in State law that have allowed foreign money to touch Alabama elections. HB214, sponsored by State Representative James Lomax (R-Huntsville) and State Rep. Susan DuBose (R-Hoover) now moves to the State Senate for further action.

The bill would bar foreign nationals from directly or indirectly donating to political candidates, political action committees, or ballot measures — including constitutional amendments and referendums. It targets loopholes that have let foreign funding influence state votes, despite federal restrictions already barring such contributions to candidates and committees.

Rep. Lomax spoke on the House floor about what he sees as a growing threat to election integrity. “Elections should be decided by the people who live, work and raise their families in this state — not by foreign entities with ulterior financial or political motives,” he said. “A 2024 report found that a single foreign billionaire spent close to $100 million on State ballot campaigns to push an agenda across the country. This is beyond alarming, and I am proud to have passed legislation that slams the door shut on international dark-money groups seeking to bring their views to our great state.”

The move by the House reflects a broader concern among some lawmakers about foreign influence in U.S. elections and ballot campaigns. Under current federal law, foreign nationals and business entities are already barred from contributing to political candidates and committees, but State ballot measures have remained largely unregulated in this area. HB214 seeks to extend similar restrictions under State law to close that gap.

The bill now heads to the Alabama Senate.

The full text of HB214 as filed may be read HERE.