What Is HB 2123?
HB 2123 is a 2026 bipartisan bill sponsored by Representatives Joe Fitzgibbon (D) and Chris Corry (R) that removes all state‑level protections against foreign involvement in Washington elections. It does this by deleting foreign‑national certification requirements from campaign finance reports and repealing the state laws that prohibit foreign nationals from contributing, spending, or participating in electioneering.
What the Bill Actually Does
1. Removes foreign‑national certification requirements
HB 2123 strikes language requiring candidates, PACs, out‑of‑state committees, advertisers, and independent expenditure sponsors to certify that:
- Their contributions are not financed by foreign nationals
- Foreign nationals were not involved in decision‑making
These certifications are removed from multiple sections of campaign finance law.
2. Repeals Washington’s foreign‑national election prohibitions
HB 2123 fully repeals:
- RCW 29B.40.050 — Foreign nationals prohibited from contributions, expenditures, and electioneering
- RCW 29B.40.060 — Certification requirements for contributions
- RCW 29B.10.250 — Definition of “foreign national”
These repeals eliminate the legal framework Washington uses to block foreign participation in elections.
3. Removes reporting requirements that help detect foreign influence
The bill deletes foreign‑national statements from:
- Campaign finance reports
- Independent expenditure reports
- Political advertising disclosures
- Electioneering communication reports
This means campaigns and committees no longer have to verify or disclose whether foreign nationals were involved in funding or decision‑making.
What This Means If HB 2123 Passes
1. Washington would no longer have state‑level protections against foreign election influence
With the prohibitions and definitions repealed, Washington law would no longer bar foreign nationals or foreign‑influenced entities from participating financially in state elections.
Federal law still bans direct foreign‑national contributions, but HB 2123 removes:
- State enforcement
- State reporting
- State definitions
- State penalties
This creates a major enforcement gap.
2. Foreign‑influenced corporations could spend money in Washington elections
Because the bill repeals the foreign‑national restrictions and certifications, corporations with foreign ownership or foreign decision‑makers would no longer be restricted under state law.
3. Voters lose transparency
Without certification and reporting requirements, the public would no longer know:
- Whether foreign nationals were involved in political spending
- Whether foreign‑influenced corporations funded ads or campaigns
- Whether committees verified the source of their contributions
This reduces visibility into who is trying to influence Washington elections.
4. Enforcement becomes nearly impossible
With the prohibitions and definitions repealed, the Public Disclosure Commission loses the legal tools it currently uses to:
- Investigate foreign‑influence violations
- Penalize violators
- Require documentation or certification
The state effectively steps out of the role of policing foreign involvement.
Bottom Line for Citizens
HB 2123 dismantles Washington’s foreign‑influence safeguards by removing prohibitions, definitions, certifications, and reporting requirements. For citizens concerned about election integrity, transparency, and outside influence, this bill represents a significant rollback of protections that currently help keep Washington elections free from foreign involvement.
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