SB 256: Foreign agent registration, foreign terrorist organizations, and foreign adversaries. - Indiana

Senate Bill (S) → Senate Bill (H) · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was expanded from a narrow registration requirement for agents of specific hostile nations to a broader framework covering foreign agents and foreign terrorist organizations. It now includes a new definition for affiliates of foreign terrorist organizations and expands the list of covered countries to include those designated by federal law or the governor. Additionally, the bill introduces a mechanism to deny state benefits to individuals aiding foreign terrorist organizations and declares agreements with such prohibited persons void.

Scope change

The scope expanded from targeting only agents of specific hostile foreign countries to also covering affiliates of foreign terrorist organizations and entities receiving support from a wider range of designated foreign actors.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'affiliate of a foreign terrorist organization,' covering individuals who were agents, acted under direction, or provided material support to such organizations.

Changed the definition of 'hostile foreign country' to include any country listed in 15 CFR 791.4 or designated by the governor as a threat to critical infrastructure, rather than just the four specific nations previously listed.

ENFORCEMENT

Established a procedure to deny state benefits to persons who aid a foreign terrorist organization.

REQUIREMENT

Added a provision stating that any agreement or cooperative agreement between a state unit and a prohibited person (aiding a foreign terrorist organization) is contrary to public policy and void.

Reduced the time window for 'foreign supported political organizations' from five years to three years for determining if they received money from a covered foreign principal.

Enrolled Senate Bill (S) → Senate Bill (S) · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was converted from an enrolled act into a standard Senate Bill format, indicating it is still in the legislative process and not yet law. The substantive policy content was completely rewritten to focus on registering agents of hostile foreign nations rather than prohibiting technology contracts with foreign-owned companies. The new version defines specific registration requirements for individuals or entities acting on behalf of hostile foreign principals in Indiana.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifted from restricting technology contracts with foreign-owned businesses to requiring registration for political agents of hostile foreign countries.

SCOPE

Removed the entire chapter prohibiting technology contracts with foreign-owned companies, including definitions of 'foreign adversary' and 'prohibited person'.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'agent of a hostile foreign principal', 'hostile foreign country', 'hostile foreign principal', and 'political activity'.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for agents to file a detailed registration statement with the attorney general before acting.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2027, for the new registration requirements.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed the specific list of countries designated as 'foreign adversaries' and replaced it with a broader definition of 'hostile foreign country'.

Engrossed Senate Bill (S) → Enrolled Senate Bill (S) · 6 edits · Mar 5, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was converted from an 'Engrossed' draft to an 'Enrolled' final version, adding official printing instructions and changing the title to reflect the final act. The substantive policy text regarding foreign agent registration and technology contract prohibitions remains identical, with no changes to definitions, effective dates, or enforcement mechanisms.

Scope change

The bill's scope and applicability are unchanged; the text defines the same prohibited persons, foreign adversaries, and contract requirements as the previous version.

TECHNICAL

Added official 'Second Regular Session of the 124th General Assembly' and 'Printing Code' instructions to the header.

Changed the document title from 'ENGROSSED SENATE BILL No. 256' to 'SENATE ENROLLED ACT No. 256'.

Replaced the introductory phrase 'A BILL FOR AN ACT' with 'AN ACT'.

Removed the 'DIGEST' section containing a summary of the bill's provisions.

Removed the legislative history timeline listing dates for reading, committee reports, and passage.

Removed the list of sponsoring legislators.

Engrossed Senate Bill (H) → Engrossed Senate Bill (S) · 7 edits · Jan 26, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was updated to reflect House amendments, expanding its scope from a foreign agent registration law to include prohibitions on technology contracts with foreign-owned companies and restrictions on foreign student enrollment. The definition of hostile entities was broadened to include 'foreign adversaries' such as those listed in federal regulations, and the effective date was changed to upon passage rather than a future date.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded significantly to include restrictions on technology contracts with foreign-owned companies and new requirements for state educational institutions regarding foreign student enrollment.

DEFINITION

The definition of hostile entities was broadened from specific countries to include 'foreign adversaries' as defined by federal regulations and state designations.

REQUIREMENT

New requirements were added prohibiting state educational institutions from enrolling foreign students in qualifying programs unless specific criteria are met.

New provisions require approved postsecondary institutions to report the number of foreign students enrolled in qualifying programs for the preceding 10 years.

New restrictions were added prohibiting certain individuals and business entities from acquiring real property located in Indiana.

New provisions require contractors to affirm that they and their subcontractors are not acting as agents of a foreign adversary before entering into technology contracts.

The original foreign agent registration requirements were removed and replaced with the new technology contract prohibitions.

TIMELINE

The effective date was changed from July 1, 2026, to upon passage.

Introduced Senate Bill (S) → Engrossed Senate Bill (H) · 4 edits · Jan 26, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was expanded from solely regulating agents of hostile foreign countries to also include a specific registration requirement for affiliates of foreign terrorist organizations. The text now explicitly defines 'foreign terrorist organization' and adds a new definition for 'affiliate,' broadening the scope of who must register beyond just political agents.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include individuals or entities affiliated with foreign terrorist organizations, in addition to the previously defined agents of hostile foreign principals.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'affiliate of a foreign terrorist organization' covering those who work for, are controlled by, or provide material support to such groups.

Added a specific definition for 'foreign terrorist organization' referencing U.S. government designations under federal law.

The definition of 'agent' was slightly modified to explicitly state that the agent must engage in political activity 'on behalf of a hostile foreign principal' in Indiana.

SCOPE

The chapter title was updated to reflect the inclusion of foreign terrorist organizations alongside hostile foreign agent registration.

Foreign agent registration, foreign terrorist organizations, and foreign adversaries.

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