SB 177: Government Transparency and Campaign Finance; transparency in foreign funded political activities within the state; provide

Georgia currently has no specific requirement for people or groups funded by hostile foreign governments to disclose their political activity to the state. This bill would add a new article to Georgia's campaign finance law creating that requirement. It defines an 'agent of a hostile foreign principal' as someone who acts on behalf of, and is financed by, a government the U.S. Secretary of Commerce has labeled a foreign adversary, and who engages in political activity in Georgia. Such agents would have to register with the State Ethics Commission within ten days and file detailed statements about their funding, spending, and activities, updated quarterly. 'Foreign supported political organizations,' meaning groups that received money from a hostile foreign principal in the past five years and engage in political activity, must also register annually and report their spending. The Ethics Commission can investigate complaints and fine violators up to $10,000 per violation, or up to $200,000 for willful or repeat violations. The Attorney General can sue for injunctions or civil penalties, or open a criminal investigation. Trade associations and membership groups founded before 1950 are exempted, as are entities covered by a federal 'qualified divestiture' law targeting apps like TikTok.

• Creates a new legal category, 'agent of a hostile foreign principal,' covering anyone financed by a foreign-adversary government who engages in Georgia political activity, and requires them to register with the State Ethics Commission within ten days.
• Requires 'foreign supported political organizations,' groups that received money from a hostile foreign principal in the past five years and engage in political activity, to register annually and report spending.
• Requires both types of registrants to file detailed, sworn statements on funding sources, spending, ownership, and activities, updated quarterly on set dates (January 31, April 30, July 31, October 20).
• Lets the State Ethics Commission investigate complaints and impose civil penalties of $10,000 per violation, rising to $10,000-$200,000 for willful or repeat violations.
• Authorizes the Attorney General to sue in superior court for injunctions or penalties, or to open a criminal investigation, when a violation is suspected.
• Exempts pre-1950 membership organizations, trade and professional associations, and entities covered by a federal law requiring divestiture from certain foreign-controlled apps.

People or organizations in Georgia that receive money from, or act on behalf of, governments the U.S. has designated foreign adversaries and that engage in political activity here; this could include lobbyists, advocacy groups, and foreign-linked businesses. The State Ethics Commission and the Attorney General's office would also gain new registration, reporting, and enforcement duties.

If enacted, Georgians would gain public disclosure of who is funding certain foreign-linked political activity in the state, from lobbying agencies to advocacy campaigns. Covered individuals and organizations would face new registration paperwork, quarterly reporting deadlines, and financial penalties, including possible criminal investigation, for failing to comply.

• Section 21-5-91 defines 'hostile foreign country' as one designated a foreign adversary by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, and defines 'agent of a hostile foreign principal' and 'foreign supported political organization.'
• Section 21-5-92 requires agents of hostile foreign principals to file a sworn registration statement with the State Ethics Commission within ten days of becoming such an agent, listing addresses, nationality, funding, and activities.
• Section 21-5-92(b)-(c) requires quarterly supplemental updates on January 31, April 30, July 31, and October 20 each year.
• Section 21-5-93 requires foreign supported political organizations to register by December 31 each year and disclose officers, spending, and foreign funding received.
• Section 21-5-94 gives the State Ethics Commission authority to investigate complaints and impose civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation, or $10,000 to $200,000 for willful or repeat violations, and lets the Attorney General sue or open criminal investigations.
• Section 21-5-95 exempts entities covered by the federal Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, including entities referenced in a related presidential executive order.

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