In the last year, five states—Arkansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas—have enacted their own versions of FARA. Similar legislation has been proposed in several others. And though efforts to pass FARA-like laws in some states began well before the current administration, many now appear more eager to pick up the mantle.

Many of the so-called “baby FARA” laws adopted by state governments mirror the core structure of their federal analogue: persons who attempt to influence state politics on behalf of a foreign entity, especially a foreign government, must register and make certain disclosures. But the state laws often depart from the federal statute in ways that illuminate the states’ unique concerns.

Six states have currently enacted their own version of FARA; two states have also enacted similar laws related to campaign expenditures: