prohibiting the use of federal, state, or local funds for lobbying activities.

HB 314 prohibits using federal, state, or local public funds - including grants, appropriations, or payments from counties, towns, cities, or school districts - to lobby, influence legislation, or engage in political activities. It requires entities receiving public funds to physically and financially separate those funds from any money used for lobbying, not just through bookkeeping. The bill allows taxpayers to sue to stop violations and recover attorney fees, while imposing criminal penalties (Class A misdemeanor) and requiring violators to pay 3 times the misused amount. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, applying to all public fund expenditures after that date.