House Bill No. by Representative Owen aims to enhance the registration requirements for foreign adversaries engaging in lobbying activities in Louisiana. The bill introduces a definition for "foreign adversary," which includes individuals, corporations, or governments identified as such by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. It mandates that any person lobbying on behalf of a foreign adversary must complete additional registration with the board of ethics, providing detailed information about their activities, including contact details and the nature of their business in the state. The bill also establishes penalties for willful violations, with fines up to $50,000.

Furthermore, the legislation requires the board of ethics to maintain a searchable electronic database accessible to the public, which will include information about registered foreign adversaries and their activities. The board is also authorized to share data with officials in other states to improve transparency and compliance among agents of foreign adversaries operating across state lines. The provisions of this bill are set to take effect on December 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
HB511 Original: 24:51(3)