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HB 2205

Prohibiting lobbying for or by foreign adversaries; authorizing the attorney general to file civil lawsuits; providing for civil penalties for violations thereof.

2025-2026 Regular Session

Prohibits lobbying or compensation for lobbying on behalf of designated foreign adversaries and their clients, with penalties up to 150k and AG enforcement.

Died in Committee
#attorneygeneral #civilprocedureandcivilactions #ethics #governmental
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 2205

Summary — HB 2205 (Introduced January 29, 2025; Referred to Committee on Elections)

Note: The materials provided include text from multiple bills in other states also numbered HB 2205. This summary focuses on the Kansas bill described in the fiscal note and the “As introduced” text (session of 2025) that would prohibit lobbying on behalf of specified foreign adversaries.

Purpose and intent

HB 2205 seeks to prohibit persons from engaging in lobbying activities, or receiving compensation for lobbying, on behalf of certain foreign governments, parties, entities or clients designated as “foreign adversaries.” The bill authorizes the Kansas Attorney General to enforce the prohibition through civil lawsuits and to recover civil penalties, costs and attorney fees.

Key provisions

  • Prohibition: No person may engage in lobbying or receive direct/indirect compensation (including in-kind or intangible services) to carry out lobbying on behalf of:
    • A “foreign adversary,” a foreign political party of such an adversary, or a “foreign adversary client.”
  • Defined “foreign adversary” (explicit list and criteria):
    • Countries listed: People’s Republic of China; Russian Federation; Islamic Republic of Iran; Democratic People’s Republic of Korea; Republic of Cuba; Venezuelan regime of Nicolás Maduro; Syrian Arab Republic.
    • Also includes agencies/instrumentalities of those governments; persons owned/operated or controlled by those adversaries (and their parents/subsidiaries); persons organized under the laws of or with principal place of business in those countries.
  • Defined “foreign political party” and “foreign adversary client”:
    • “Client” includes current/former officials of such parties, executives/officers of a foreign adversary, immediate family members (spouse, parents, siblings, children and spouses’ parents/siblings), officials in branches of the foreign adversary, and corporations or entities formed by or for such persons.
  • Enforcement and remedies:
    • The Kansas Attorney General may bring civil actions for violations.
    • Civil penalties: up to $25,000 for a first violation; up to $100,000 for a second violation; up to $150,000 for a third or subsequent violation.
    • Attorney fees and costs: recoverable by the Attorney General from the violator.
    • All civil penalties collected are to be deposited into the State General Fund.
  • Effective date: The act takes effect upon publication in the statute book.

Who would be affected

  • Lobbyists and persons who contract, are employed by, or otherwise receive compensation to lobby on behalf of the listed foreign states/entities or their clients.
  • Entities organized under the laws of or principally operating in the listed countries.
  • The Office of the Attorney General (enforcement workload and costs).
  • District courts and county governments (possible increased civil case filings and associated operating demands).

Fiscal and administrative impact

  • Attorney General’s Office estimate: additional costs of $78,075 in FY2026 and $81,979 in FY2027 to pursue civil enforcement. FY2026 amount includes $60,839 for salary/wages for 1.00 investigator and $17,236 for operating expenses. Cases without legal findings could be handled with existing staff.
  • Office of Judicial Administration: could see increased district court caseload; potential increases in docket fees and civil-penalty receipts to the State General Fund, but fiscal effect not quantified.
  • Kansas Association of Counties: possible increased operating costs for counties if district court cases increase; exact amount not estimated.
  • League of Kansas Municipalities: anticipates no fiscal effect on cities.

Procedural status (from provided materials)

  • Introduced: January 29, 2025
  • Current status (as provided): Referred to Committee on Elections

If you want, I can:
- Draft a one-page explainer aimed at lobbyists or local governments describing immediate compliance steps; or
- Extract potential legal questions and constitutional considerations for further review.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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