S. 2305 — FRONT Act

This section amends the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) to deem tax-exempt organizations described in 501(c)(3) through (6) of the Internal Revenue Code that receive funding from a foreign principal of a foreign country of concern (i.e., China, North Korea, Russia, Iran, Cuba, Venezuela, or any other designated by the Secretary of State) as agents of a foreign principal required to register under FARA, unless otherwise exempt. (Thus, such organizations lose the exemption from FARA registration available to Lobbying Disclosure Act filers but retain the waiver for funds solicited outside the U.S. for humanitarian assistance.) The section further revises FARA registration statement requirements in paragraphs (4) and (9) of 22 U.S.C. 612(a) to require these organizations to disclose their status as agents under the new provision, along with copies of agreements (or statements of activities if no contract exists) related to such funding. (As background, FARA requires public disclosure of relationships and activities on behalf of foreign principals to promote transparency regarding foreign influence in the U.S.)