Foreign Influence Transparency & Accountability Act

Section 1. Title

This act shall be known and may be cited as the “Foreign Influence Transparency & Public Official Integrity Act.”

Section 2. Legislative Findings & Intent

The Legislature finds that:

Public officials are entrusted to act solely in the interests of their constituents;
Undisclosed foreign influence, financial relationships, or coordination with foreign principals undermines public trust and democratic governance;
Existing disclosure requirements are insufficient to ensure transparency and accountability;

Therefore, the purpose of this act is to:

Prevent undisclosed foreign influence in public decision-making;
Require full transparency of foreign financial ties and contacts;
Prohibit public officials from acting as agents of foreign principals;
Establish enforceable standards, oversight, and penalties.
Section 3. Definitions

For the purposes of this act:

“Public Official” means any elected or appointed official of the state or any political subdivision.
“Foreign Principal” means:
A foreign government or political party;
Any person or entity organized under the laws of a foreign country;
Any individual acting on behalf of such entities;
“Foreign Agent Activity” means acting under the direction, control, or influence of a foreign principal in matters related to public policy or governmental decision-making.
“Material Contact” means any communication or interaction with a foreign principal relating to official duties or policy decisions.
Section 4. Prohibition on Acting as a Foreign Agent

(a) No public official shall:

Act as an agent, representative, or intermediary of a foreign principal;
Accept direction, control, or influence from a foreign principal in the performance of official duties;

(b) Any violation of this section shall constitute a serious breach of public trust and be subject to penalties under this act.

Section 5. Disclosure of Foreign Financial Interests

(a) Public officials shall disclose:

Any financial interest, investment, or compensation derived from a foreign principal;
Any gifts, travel, or benefits provided by a foreign principal;

(b) Such disclosures shall:

Be filed annually;
Be updated within thirty (30) days of any material change;
Be made publicly accessible.
Section 6. Disclosure of Foreign Contacts

(a) Public officials shall report any material contact with a foreign principal that relates to:

Official duties;
Policy development;
Legislative or regulatory actions;

(b) Such disclosures shall include:

The identity of the foreign principal;
The nature and purpose of the contact;
The date and location of the interaction;

(c) Routine diplomatic or ceremonial interactions may be exempt as defined by regulation.

Section 7. Restrictions on Benefits and Compensation

(a) No public official shall:

Accept compensation from a foreign principal;
Receive gifts or benefits exceeding a de minimis threshold established by regulation;

(b) Any permitted benefits must be fully disclosed.

Section 8. Oversight and Enforcement

(a) An independent ethics or oversight body shall:

Receive and investigate complaints;
Audit disclosures and financial records;
Issue findings and recommendations;

(b) The oversight body shall have authority to:

Subpoena records and testimony;
Refer matters for criminal prosecution where appropriate;
Section 9. Penalties

(a) Any public official found in violation shall be subject to:

Civil fines and penalties;
Public findings of violation;
Removal from office in accordance with applicable law;

(b) Willful or knowing violations involving undisclosed foreign agent activity shall be referred for criminal prosecution under applicable statutes.

Section 10. Severability

If any provision of this act is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions.

Section 11. Effective Date

This act shall take effect upon adoption.