States are increasingly enacting Baby FARA laws, state-level versions of the Foreign Agents Registration Act, to regulate foreign influence in lobbying and advocacy. In 2025, Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana, Nebraska and Texas passed measures requiring registration and disclosure for those acting on behalf of foreign principals, often imposing stricter standards than the federal law. The trend is expected to accelerate in 2026 as more states draft similar bills and broaden coverage to include nonprofits, universities and foreign-influenced companies, reflecting a growing bipartisan push for transparency and tighter oversight of foreign political activity.
Florida’s SB 700 (2024), which took effect this July, bars certain nonprofits and fundraisers from receiving support from “foreign sources of concern” and requires compliance attestations and registration in an “Honest Services Registry.” SB 766 (2025) would have required agents of these countries and foreign-supported political organizations to register with the Florida Division of Elections and disclose affiliations, payments and political activity.
FOCUS will continue to monitor FARA legislation in state legislatures across the country.
