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SB 528 · 2026 · Senate · Executive Departments and Administration Committee

Ban on foreign adversary lobbying

AI-generated

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

Prohibits a lobbyist from receiving compensation for lobbying activity conducted on behalf of designated foreign adversaries.AI-generated

Status

Referred to interim study (House) · April 23, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✕House
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill prohibits a lobbyist from receiving compensation for carrying out any lobbying activity on behalf of certain designated foreign adversaries.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as amended by the Senate. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“"People’s Republic of China" means the People’s Republic of China and all provinces and autonomous regions of the People’s Republic of China, including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, and the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China; but does not include Taiwan.”
RSA 15:5-a
“"Control" means the power, direct or indirect, whether or not exercised, to determine, direct, dictate, or decide important matters affecting an entity, including but without limitation, through:”
RSA 15:5-a
“Proxy voting, a special share, contractual arrangements, legal obligations, formal or informal arrangements to act in concert; or (5) Other means.”
RSA 15:5-a
“"Lobbyist" means any person engaging in, agreeing to engage in, or attempting to engage in lobbying activity.”
RSA 15:5-a

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Regina BirdsellRPrimeMajority Leader

Public testimony

40 signed in online · 14 wrote testimony

100% support0% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“As a proud New Hampshirite and U.S. military veteran, and I've always believed that our state government should work for us — not for foreign powers with agendas that run counter to American interests. SB528 is common sense.…”
— Jason Bradt, Hollissupports
“The rights and interests of New Hampshire residents are infringed when foreign interests are advanced. It is imperative that the interests of the citizens of New Hampshire is paramount. Chinese interests help China and do not help the citizens of our state.”
— Dessie Leff, Nashuasupports
“I believe that foreign interference in state politics or national for that matter, is wrong. There should be no foreign lobbying to influence US policies. Please vote in the best interests of our beautiful state, not for your personal opinions or interests.…”
— Patricia Burk, Hollissupports

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Jan 29, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Jan 29, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • Mar 5, 2026SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0845s8–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 5, 2026SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2026-0845sadopted
  • Mar 5, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0845sadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • Apr 15, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Refer for Interim Study12–6
    Overall
    67% yea
  • Apr 23, 2026HouseVoice voteRefer for Interim Studyadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 21, 2026Public hearingSenate Executive Departments and Administration2:03–3:371m 34slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Jan 29, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 5, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0845s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0845s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-0845s — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 1, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer Affairs25:34–27:301m 56slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Apr 8, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamSubcommittee Work Session
  • Apr 14, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamSubcommittee Work Session
  • Apr 15, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer Affairs36:19–37:281m 9slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Refer for Interim Study — roll call; Executive Session
  • Apr 23, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamRefer for Interim Study — adopted, voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 1
  2. Jan 21, 2026SenHearing: 01/21/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:00 am; SC 2
  3. Jan 29, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 01/29/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 3
  4. Jan 29, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 01/29/2026; SJ 2
  5. Mar 5, 2026SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0845s, 03/05/2026; Vote 8-0; CC; SC 8
  6. Mar 5, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-0845s, AA, VV; 03/05/2026; SJ 5
  7. Mar 5, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0845s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/05/2026; SJ 5
  8. Mar 12, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/12/2026 and referred to Commerce and Consumer Affairs HJ 8 P. 114
  9. Apr 1, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 04/01/2026 10:00 am GP 229
  10. Apr 8, 2026HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 04/08/2026 10:00 am GP 229
  11. Apr 14, 2026HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 04/14/2026 10:00 am GP 229
  12. Apr 15, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 04/15/2026 10:00 am GP 229
  13. Apr 15, 2026House: Refer for Interim Study 04/15/2026 (Vote 12-6; RC)
  14. Apr 23, 2026HouseRefer for Interim Study: MA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 20

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.