Georgia House passes bill targeting political spending from ‘hostile’ foreign agents

A bill seeking to mandate disclosure of political spending in Georgia from countries designated as hostile foreign adversaries passed the House Monday in a 98-65 vote that fell largely along party lines.

Senate Bill 177, which was sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Jason Anavitarte, would mandate that anyone working on behalf of “hostile” foreign governments — and the political organizations that accept donations from foreign agents — register with the state ethics commission. It would also impose a fine of up to $200,000 for failing to disclose such funding. 

The bill passed the Senate last year mostly along partisan lines.