HF 2044: Relating to campaign finance, including participation in ballot issue campaigns by foreign nationals and investigations of election misconduct, and making penalties applicable

What it does

This bill relates to campaign finance. The bill defines the terms “directly or indirectly” and “foreign national” for purposes of the bill and for independent campaign expenditures and transfers of campaign funds under current law. The bill requires the treasurer of a candidate’s committee that receives a contribution from a political committee expressly advocating the passage or defeat of a ballot issue to obtain an affirmation that the donor is not a foreign national and has not knowingly or willfully accepted funds in excess of $100,000 in aggregate from one or more foreign nationals within the four years immediately preceding the date the contribution is made.

House subcommittee · named January 27, 2026

• Rep. Austin Harris (R) · austin.harris@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Shannon Lundgren (R) · shannon.lundgren@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Dr. Megan L. Srinivas (D) · megan.srinivas@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 7 for, 0 against

For: ALEC Action; Consumers' Defense; Heritage Action for America; Honest Elections Project Action; Iowa Minuteman Civil Defense Corps; State Shield Action; VALOR Iowa

In plain words

1. January 14, 2026Filed in the House and sent to the State Government committee
2. January 27, 2026House subcommittee named: Harris, Lundgren and Srinivas
3. February 10, 2026Subcommittee recommended passing it
4. February 17, 2026Approved by the House committee
5. February 17, 2026Committee vote: 21–0
6. February 19, 2026Approved by the House committee, and given a new number: HF 2601
7. March 26, 2026Withdrawn