SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California could become the first state in the nation to create protections for people who are targeted by foreign nations, if the governor signs legislation passed by the Assembly and Senate unanimously last month.

Backers of the bill point to instances in California when Iranian dissidents were stalked for their advocacy, Chinese activists have been attacked at protests and when Sikh activists have been targeted with assassination.

SB 509, authored by Senator Anna Caballero, D-Merced, and Assemblywoman Jasmeet Bains (D-Delano), aims to combat what they see as a growing threat of transnational repression or TNR — defined by the FBI and other intelligence experts is when foreign governments seek to intimidate, harass, threaten, or harm individuals living outside thei

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