LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) — A new rule is being introduced that is aimed at increasing transparency among individuals and organizations lobbying on behalf of foreign governments considered adversarial to the United States.

Issued by the Arkansas Secretary of State’s office, the rule requires anyone acting as an agent of a designated hostile foreign power to register with the office and disclose their activities.

Secretary of State Cole Jester said the measure is intended to protect Arkansas’s political process from outside influence, reinforcing, he said, the principle that state government and elections should be decided by Arkansans.

“Simply put, Arkansas elections, Arkansas government is for Arkansans, not for Russia, not for China, Iran or North Korea,” Jester said.

Under the new policy, the Secretary of State’s office is granted expanded enforcement authority, including the ability to investigate foreign-funded lobbyists who fail to properly disclose their work and to issue fines when violations are found.

Jester said the rule is focused on safeguarding the democratic process.

“We are fighting back to protect our birthright, the democratic process,” he said.

State officials say concerns about undisclosed foreign involvement in government decision-making have existed for years.

State Representative David Ray, who supported the legislation, said the rule builds on a law passed during the 2025 legislative session and is focused on accountability.

“You have to be honest with the people of Arkansas about who you represent,” Ray said.

He also cited broader national security concerns, including foreign theft of technology, drug trafficking, and cyber threats, which he said can have consequences at the state level.

“China steals our technology, our intellectual property, and attempts to steal military secrets. They also traffic deadly drugs like fentanyl into this country, killing tens of thousands of our citizens each and every year,” Ray said.

According to Ray, Arkansas has already experienced cases that illustrate those risks, including the theft of agricultural technology and lobbying by companies with foreign ownership ties.

“We’ve seen instances in Arkansas where Chinese nationals have stolen valuable seed technology from agricultural companies. We’ve also seen companies with Chinese ownership lobbying at the state capitol,” Ray said.

Lawmakers also emphasized the importance of protecting critical infrastructure, such as utilities and water systems, which they say may be vulnerable to cyberattacks from foreign governments.

“A lot of that critical infrastructure is susceptible to cyberattacks from hostile foreign governments. It’s important for people to understand what we’re trying to protect against with laws like this,” Ray said.

The new rule also allows Arkansas residents to submit complaints to the Secretary of State’s office if they believe the disclosure requirements have been violated.

State officials say the measure is designed to strengthen oversight and transparency within Arkansas’s political system.