Louisiana lawmakers are moving to address foreign influence and national security risks at the state level. Two bills, House Bill 635 and House Bill 690, are gaining attention ahead of committee hearings this week.
Tom Rawlings, policy director for State Shield, says the effort focuses on protecting residents and public institutions from what he describes as “hostile foreign activity.”
House Bill 635 targets harassment tied to foreign governments. The bill would increase penalties for individuals who threaten or coerce people in the U.S. on behalf of countries like China. Lawmakers point to reports of foreign agents pressuring dissidents and even threatening family members overseas.
Rawlings said similar activity has surfaced across the country, including cases tied to so-called “secret police stations” in major U.S. cities. He stressed that the bill aims to protect free speech and ensure people can speak out without fear.
House Bill 690 focuses on education. It would prevent schools from adopting curriculum or materials tied to foreign adversaries. The goal is to stop propaganda from entering classrooms while still allowing students to learn about global systems and history.
Lawmakers say the bill responds to past concerns about programs like Confucius Institutes, which critics argue promoted messaging aligned with the Chinese government.
While Louisiana has a smaller population directly affected, officials say the state should act early. They argue that growing global connectivity increases the risk of foreign influence reaching local communities.
Both bills highlight a broader push to strengthen awareness and enforcement at the state level. Lawmakers plan to continue discussions as the measures move through committee.