The Joint Commission on Public Ethics will be hosting a roundtable discussion on February 12^th on proposed guidance on the topic of social media activities and whether certain activities are considered lobbying under the New York Lobbying Act. JCOPE has extended the comment period through February 19^th.

The original comment period ran through January 11^th, and involved input regarding when social media activity constitutes reportable lobbying activity in terms of direct lobbying, grassroots lobbying, and linking to a lobbying website.

The commission is also seeking input on whether expenditures made in connection with social media activity could be considered “expenses” under the Lobbying Act.