TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DISCLOSURE FOR CAMPAIGN FINANCE; TO REQUIRE DISCLOSURE BY A REPRESENTATIVE OF A HOSTILE FOREIGN PRINCIPAL; AND TO AMEND PORTIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE THAT RESULTED FROM INITIATED ACT 1 OF 1990.

House Bill 1800 (now Act 998) amends Arkansas law to establish new disclosure requirements for individuals and organizations acting as "representatives of a hostile foreign principal." This applies to those who act on behalf of, or are financed by, governments or entities from specific nations such as China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran, and engage in political activity within Arkansas. These representatives are required to register with the Secretary of State within ten days of beginning their activities and to update their registration quarterly. The bill aims to increase transparency regarding political and propaganda activities that may be influenced by foreign interests deemed hostile to the state and the United States.