Arkansas
Heritage Action is committed to countering malicious foreign influence, especially from the Chinese Communist Party. This week in Arkansas, HB 1561 was signed into law! This legislation would prevent foreign actors, such as governments and quasi-official foundations, from promoting anti-American agendas on college campuses.
HB 1604, which prevents state funds from being used to purchase promotional items made in China, also passed the state legislature and is awaiting Governor Huckabee Sanders’s signature.
Idaho
DEI policies simply do not belong in American society, let alone at institutions receiving taxpayer dollars. In the Gem State, Governor Little signed S 1198 into law this week to put a stop to these policies in Idaho.
This bill will prohibit Idaho’s institutions of higher education from providing preferential treatment, mandating DEI related courses, and establishing DEI offices or contracts. This commonsense legislation safeguards the rule of law, respect for individual rights, and equal treatment under the law.
Indiana
Decisions about a state’s constitution and laws should be based on the voices of its citizens – not foreign billionaires. Thankfully, Indiana became the fourth state this year to enact protections against foreign funding from influencing state ballot measures. Governor Mike Braun signed HB 1467, which bans foreign contributions to ballot measure campaigns in the state of Indiana.
Foreign interests influencing our elections is not just a hypothetical problem. Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has given over $245 million to the New Venture Fund and the Sixteen Thirty Fund since 2016. The Sixteen Thirty Fund poured nearly $37 million into ballot initiatives to change state laws on everything from abortion to elections during the 2023-2024 cycle.