The proposed bill would amend current statutes by adding new sections to Title 41 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, specifically sections 41-4259 and 41-4260, which pertain to the registration and regulation of foreign adversary principals and their lobbyists. The bill introduces requirements for foreign adversary principals to submit their lobbying registration and a list of current lobbyists to the Department, mandates biennial reregistration, and establishes a public database of these entities and their lobbyists. Additionally, it outlines disclosure obligations for lobbyists when engaging with legislators and public officials, and sets penalties for violations of these provisions.

Furthermore, the bill defines key terms related to foreign adversary principals and establishes a registration fee to be paid by those registering lobbyists for compensation. It creates a dedicated fund for these fees and allows the Department to adopt necessary rules and procedures for implementation. Notably, the bill exempts the Arizona Department of Homeland Security from certain rulemaking requirements for one year following its effective date. Overall, these updates aim to enhance transparency and accountability in lobbying activities involving foreign adversaries.

Statutes affected:
House Engrossed Version: 41-4259, 41-4260