Review of the Public Integrity Reform Act of 2011, Part 5: Lobbying Act Changes

Part 1: The Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE)
Part 2: The Project Sunlight Database
Part 3: Advocacy Organization Donor Disclosure Requirement
Part 4: Pension Forfeiture for Public Officials Convicted of a Felony
Today:  Lobbying Act Changes

Lobbying Act Changes

The new law makes a series of changes to existing Lobbying Act provisions, which will be of interest to lobbyists and clients.

It broadens the definition of “lobbying” to include advocacy to affect the introduction of legislation or resolutions.  This means that the obligation to register with JCOPE may attach earlier than in the past.

The rules on legislative receptions (ans similar events) are changed.  For purposes of the gift exemption for “widely attended” events, the term is now defined to mean attendance by at least 25 persons who are not from the governmental entity the public official serves, and which is either related to the official’s duties or responsibilities or where the official performs a ceremonial function.

The new law does not change the existing law’s prohibition on gifts of more than nominal value to public officials by lobbyists and clients, but it adds a stand-alone gift exemption for “food or beverage valued at fifteen dollars or less.”

The new law also allows lobbyists or clients to provide transportation to public officials to tour facilities, operations or property in-state, where the tour is related to the individual’s official duties.

These provisions became effective when the bill was signed into law.