This bill aims to prohibit the use of federal, state, or local public funds for lobbying activities, establishing strict regulations and enforcement mechanisms. The current law, RSA 15:5, is repealed and reenacted to define "public funds" and explicitly state that no public funds shall be used to lobby, influence legislation, or participate in political activities. It mandates that any recipient of public funds who wishes to engage in lobbying must segregate these funds from other financial resources, ensuring they are physically and financially distinct. Additionally, the bill allows taxpayers or residents to seek injunctive relief against entities that violate this prohibition, and it imposes penalties, including Class A misdemeanors and personal liability for those who knowingly authorize such spending.

The bill also includes provisions for employee discharge in cases of knowing violations and clarifies that it does not restrict entities from providing non-advocacy information. The act will take effect on January 1, 2026, and applies to any expenditure of public funds made on or after that date. The fiscal impact of the bill is indeterminable, as it may affect judicial and correctional systems due to the introduction of criminal penalties and civil remedies, but no specific revenue or expenditure changes are projected for the state or local governments.