SB177: SB177 Government Transparency and Campaign Finance; transparency in foreign funded political activities within the state; provide

This bill adds a new article to Georgia's campaign finance law (O.C.G.A. Title 21, Chapter 5) aimed at exposing foreign influence in Georgia politics. It creates two new categories of regulated actors: agents of hostile foreign principals (people or entities acting on behalf of countries the U.S. Commerce Department designates as foreign adversaries) and foreign supported political organizations (groups that received money from such foreign sources in the past five years and engage in political activity). Agents must register with the State Ethics Commission within ten days of becoming an agent, disclosing their finances, employers, activities, and any political contributions, and must file quarterly updates. Foreign supported political organizations must register annually by December 31 and disclose spending and foreign funding. The Ethics Commission can investigate complaints and fine violators up to $10,000 per violation, or $10,000 to $200,000 for willful or repeat violations. The Attorney General can seek injunctions, civil penalties, or launch criminal investigations. Industry trade associations and certain old membership organizations are exempted, as are entities covered by a federal law on foreign-controlled apps.

• Creates a new legal category, 'agent of a hostile foreign principal,' and requires such agents to register with the State Ethics Commission within 10 days and file detailed disclosures under oath.
• Requires 'foreign supported political organizations' (groups that got money from hostile foreign sources and engage in political activity) to register annually by December 31 and disclose their spending and funding.
• Sets up quarterly reporting deadlines (January 31, April 30, July 31, October 20) for both agents and organizations to keep their registrations current.
• Authorizes the State Ethics Commission to investigate complaints and impose civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation, rising to $10,000-$200,000 for willful or repeat violations.
• Authorizes the Attorney General to seek injunctions or civil penalties in superior court, or to open a criminal investigation, based on Ethics Commission referrals.
• Exempts trade associations, certain pre-1950 membership organizations, and entities covered by a specific federal law on foreign-controlled apps from the registration requirements.

People or organizations in Georgia acting on behalf of governments the U.S. Commerce Department labels foreign adversaries, political or advocacy groups that have received foreign funding and engage in political activity, the State Ethics Commission, which administers registration, and the Attorney General, who can pursue enforcement.

Groups and individuals tied to foreign adversary governments would have to publicly disclose their funding, activities, and political spending in Georgia, giving voters and officials more visibility into who is trying to influence state policy or elections, backed by significant financial penalties for noncompliance.

• Section 21-5-91 defines key terms including 'hostile foreign country' (tied to the U.S. Commerce Department's foreign adversary list), 'hostile foreign principal,' and 'foreign supported political organization,' with exemptions for trade associations and pre-1950 membership groups.
• Section 21-5-92 requires agents of a hostile foreign principal to file a sworn registration statement within 10 days covering their identity, funders, activities, and payments received.
• Section 21-5-92(b)-(c) requires quarterly supplemental filings by January 31, April 30, July 31, and October 20 each year.
• Section 21-5-93 requires foreign supported political organizations to register annually by December 31 with details on funding, officers, and spending, and to file quarterly updates.
• Section 21-5-94 gives the State Ethics Commission authority to investigate and fine violators up to $10,000 per violation, or $10,000-$200,000 for willful/repeat violations, and lets the Attorney General seek court injunctions, penalties, or criminal investigation.
• Section 21-5-95 exempts entities subject to a qualified divestiture under the federal Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act from this article.

1. 2026-03-16House Passed/Adopted By Substitute (House)
2. 2026-03-16House Third Readers (House)
3. 2026-03-12House Withdrawn, Recommitted (House)
4. 2026-02-24House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
5. 2025-04-04House Withdrawn, Recommitted (House)
6. 2025-03-31House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
7. 2025-03-10House Second Readers (House)
8. 2025-03-06House First Readers (House)

• Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-031)Primary sponsor
• John Albers (R, SD-056)
• Max Burns (R, SD-023)
• Randy Robertson (R, SD-029)
• Ricky Williams (R, SD-025)
• Sam Watson (R, SD-011)
• Lee Anderson (R, SD-024)
• Shawn Still (R, SD-048)
• Ed Setzler (R, SD-037)
• Billy Hickman (R, SD-004)
• Mike Hodges (R, SD-003)
• Ben Watson (R, SD-001)
• Bill Cowsert (R, SD-046)
• Clint Dixon (R, SD-045)
• Carden Summers (R, SD-013)
• Timothy Bearden (R, SD-030)
• Marty Harbin (R, SD-016)
• Steve Gooch (R, SD-051)
• Joseph Gullett (R, HD-019)

1. PassedSenate voteMarch 4, 2025

   29 yea, 17 nay (4 not voting, 6 absent)

   Motion To Engross: Sb 177, Sb 199: Senate Vote #136

2. PassedSenate voteMarch 4, 2025

   36 yea, 18 nay (0 not voting, 2 absent)

   Passage: Senate Vote #149

3. PassedHouse voteMarch 16, 2026

   98 yea, 65 nay (3 not voting, 10 absent)

   Passage: House Vote #709

• campaign finance
• foreign influence
• government transparency
• State Ethics Commission
• political disclosure