SB 528 New Hampshire Senate · 2026 Regular Session

prohibiting receiving compensation for lobbying on behalf of a foreign adversary.

This bill prohibits lobbyists from receiving any compensation for lobbying on behalf of designated foreign adversaries, which include specific countries (China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela under Maduro, Syria) and their agencies. It defines "foreign adversary client" to include government officials, political parties, and certain entities related to these countries. Lobbyists would face civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation and must disgorge any compensation received for such lobbying activities. The law applies to any lobbying activity on behalf of these designated foreign adversaries or their designated clients.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Nov 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Nov 24, 2025 Last action Apr 23, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced As Amended by the Senate · 3 edits
MINOR
The Senate amendment narrows the list of designated foreign adversaries by removing Venezuela and Syria, adds an exemption for entities covered by qualified divestitures under federal law (Public Law 118-50), and delays the effective date from January 1 to July 1, 2027. These changes reduce the bill's reach while creating a carve-out for companies already subject to federal divestiture requirements.
SCOPE

Removed Venezuela (specifically 'the Venezuelan regime of Nicolas Maduro') and Syria from the list of designated foreign adversaries, leaving only China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and Cuba.

ELIGIBILITY

Added a new exemption (paragraph IV) that excludes entities subject to or covered by a qualified divestiture under the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (Public Law 118-50, division H), including entities referenced in Executive Order 14352 dated September 25, 2025.

TIMELINE

Effective date delayed by six months from January 1, 2027 to July 1, 2027.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
14
Key actions
8
Committee
8
Apr 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee Report: Refer for Interim Study 04/15/2026 (Vote 12-6; RC)
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee Work Session: 04/14/2026 10:00 am GP 229
lower
Apr 1, 2026
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee Work Session: 04/08/2026 10:00 am GP 229
lower
Mar 16, 2026
Introduced
Introduced (in recess of) 03/12/2026 and referred to Commerce and Consumer Affairs HJ 8 P. 114
lower
Feb 24, 2026
Upper · Passed
Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0845s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/05/2026; SJ 5
upper
Feb 24, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee Amendment # 2026-0845s, AA, VV; 03/05/2026; SJ 5
upper
Feb 19, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0845s, 03/05/2026; Vote 8-0; CC; SC 8
upper
Jan 29, 2026
Upper · Passed
Ought to Pass: MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 01/29/2026; SJ 2
upper
Jan 22, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 01/29/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 3
upper
Nov 24, 2025
Introduced
Introduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 1
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Regina Birdsell
Regina Birdsell
RRepublican
NH
19