A 2024 report from Americans for Public Trust found that a Swiss billionaire funneled close to $100 million through a dark money organization to influence state ballot campaigns across the country, including measures on abortion, election law, redistricting, and minimum wage.

On Tuesday, the Alabama House moved to ensure that kind of influence doesn’t reach the state.

HB214, sponsored by State Rep. James Lomax (R-Huntsville), prohibits foreign nationals from directly or indirectly donating to political candidates or political action committees in any Alabama election, including races involving candidates, constitutional amendments, or referendums.

The bill passed the House and now heads to the Senate.

Under federal law, foreign nationals and business entities are already banned from contributing to political candidates and committees. However, loopholes have allowed foreign funding to influence ballot measures such as constitutional amendments and referendums.

“Elections should be decided by the people who live, work, and raise their families in this state – not by foreign entities with ulterior financial or political motives,” Lomax said.

“This is beyond alarming, and I am proud to have passed legislation that slams the door shut on international dark-money groups seeking to bring their views to our great state.”

Alabama joins a growing number of states considering legislation to close the foreign funding loophole.

Tuesday was the day nine of the 2026 state legislative session.

Sawyer Knowles is a capitol reporter for Yellowhammer News. You may contact him at sawyer@yellowhammernews.com.