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HB571 • 2026

Foreign nationals; prohibit from making any contribution or expenditure connected to any ballot measure.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 23-15-819, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROHIBIT A FOREIGN NATIONAL FROM MAKING ANY CONTRIBUTION OR EXPENDITURE IN CONNECTION WITH ANY STATE OR LOCAL BALLOT MEASURE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Elections
Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor
Rushing
Last action
2026-03-03
Official status
Dead
Effective date
July 1, 20

Plain English Breakdown

The bill did not pass in the session it was introduced, so there are no official definitions or exclusions provided.

Foreign Nationals Not Allowed to Contribute to Ballot Measures

This bill stops foreign nationals from giving money or other things of value related to state and local ballot measures in Mississippi.

What This Bill Does

  • Adds a new rule that says foreign nationals cannot give money or anything else of value related to ballot measures.
  • Requires people not to accept contributions from foreign nationals for ballot measures.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Foreign nationals
  • People involved in state or local ballot measures

Terms To Know

foreign national
A person who is not a U.S. citizen and does not have legal permanent residency.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill did not pass in the session it was introduced.
  • It would take effect on July 1, 2026, if passed.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-03 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    03/03 (S) Died In Committee

  2. 2026-02-17 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    02/17 (S) Referred To Elections

  3. 2026-02-05 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    02/05 (H) Transmitted To Senate

  4. 2026-02-04 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    02/04 (H) Passed

  5. 2026-01-22 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    01/22 (H) Title Suff Do Pass

  6. 2026-01-13 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    01/13 (H) Referred To Apportionment and Elections

Official Summary Text

Foreign nationals; prohibit from making any contribution or expenditure connected to any ballot measure.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
H. B. No. 571 *HR26/R457* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/HR26/R457
PAGE 1 (ENK\KW)

To: Apportionment and
Elections
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Representative Rushing

HOUSE BILL NO. 571

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 23-15-819, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, 1
TO PROHIBIT A FOREIGN NATIONAL FROM MAKING ANY CONTRIBUTION OR 2
EXPENDITURE IN CONNECTION WITH ANY STATE OR LOCAL BALLOT MEASURE; 3
AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 4
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 5
SECTION 1. Section 23-15-819, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 6
amended as follows: 7
23-15-819. (1) It shall be unlawful for a foreign national, 8
directly or through any other person, to make any contribution or 9
any expenditure of money or other thing of value, or to promise 10
expressly or impliedly to make any such contribution or 11
expenditure, in connection with an election to any political 12
office or in connection with any primary election, convention or 13
caucus held to select candidates for any political office, or in 14
connection with any state or local ballot measure. 15
(2) No person shall solicit, accept or receive any such 16
contribution from a foreign national. 17
(3) The term "foreign national" means: 18
H. B. No. 571 *HR26/R457* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR26/R457
PAGE 2 (ENK\KW)
ST: Foreign nationals; prohibit from making any
contribution or expenditure connected to any
ballot measure.
(a) A foreign national as defined in 22 USCS 611(b), 19
except that the terms "foreign national" does not include any 20
individual who is a citizen of the United States; or 21
(b) An individual who is not a citizen of the United 22
States and who is not lawfully admitted for permanent residence. 23
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from 24
and after July 1, 2026. 25