Beginning in March 2014, contractors with the federal government will have additional disclosure requirements concerning the hiring and employment of veterans and individuals with disabilities.

One regulation change sets up a hiring goal for individuals with disabilities. The goal is for federal contractors and subcontractors to have seven percent of each job group in their workforce staffed with qualified individuals with disabilities, according to the U.S. Labor Department press release released August 27, 2013.

The Labor Department identifies the seven percent goal as an “aspirational utilization goal” and states “the goal is not a quota.” The rule also specifies actions vendors must take in the areas of recruitment, training, record keeping, and policy dissemination. The U.S. Labor Department identifies these rules as being similar to those currently required to promote workplace equality for women and minorities.

Additionally, regulations concerning the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act have been amended to include hiring benchmarks, data collection, and access to a contractor’s documentation related to compliance by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs. According to the Labor Department’s notice of the program, contractors will utilize one of two benchmark methods: they can use a benchmark equal to the national percentage of veterans in the civilian labor force, or they may establish their own benchmarks using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, data from the Veterans’ Employment and Training Service/Employment and Training Administration, and other factors reflecting a contractor’s hiring circumstances. When listing job openings, contractors must invite applicants to self-identify as protected veterans at both the pre-offer and post-offer phases of the application process. Sample invitations to self-identify will be provided by the Labor Department.

Contractors must document and annually update quantitative comparisons revealing the number of people with disabilities and veterans applying for jobs and the number hired. Contractors must then maintain the information for three years.

A new Lobbyists’ Registration Act is now pending in the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly.

It would require lobbyists to register and pay a fee, and would impose fines of up to $25,000 for failing to register and up to $100,000 for repeat offenses.

Prior attempts to create a lobbyist registry failed in 2007 and 2011.

Lobbying

“Chamber Hill Strategies hires new ‘political muscle’” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.

Minnesota: “Hey, big spenders: Minnesota reports on 2012 spending on lobbying” by Rachel E. Stassen-Berger in the Star Tribune.

Campaign Finance

Illinois: “Feds send warning letter to Jackson Jr. over campaign fund” by Katherine Skiba in the Chicago Tribune.

Louisiana: “Louisiana law silent on whether candidates must return illegal contributions” by Manuel Torres in The Times-Picayune.

Louisiana: “Bobby Jindal’s political appointees have showered his campaign with cash” by Manuel Torres in The Times-Picayune.

Michigan: “Bill would double campaign donor limits in Michigan” by Paul Egan in the Detroit Free Press.

Minnesota: “Independence question vexes Minn. campaign board” by The Associated Press in the Crookston Times.

Ethics

Missouri: “Mo. state representative faces stealing, finance charges” by Aja J Williams on KSDK News.

Elections

Ohio: “Ohio legislature passes new ballot-access rules for minor political parties; Libertarians promise lawsuit” by Jeremy Pelzer in The Plain Dealer.

Texas: “May 10 date for Texas Senate race special election” by The Associated Press in the Houston Chronicle.

Redistricting

“Kentucky lawmakers disagree on which districts they represent” by Jack Brammer in the Lexington Herald-Leader.

At any given time, more than 1,000 legislative bills, which can affect how you do business as a government affairs professional, are being discussed in federal, state, and local jurisdictions. These bills are summarized in State and Federal Communications’ digital encyclopedias for lobbying laws, political contributions, and procurement lobbying and can be found in the client portion of our website.

Summaries of major bills are also included in monthly email updates sent to all clients. The chart below shows the number of bills we are tracking in regard to lobbying laws, political contributions, and procurement lobbying.

Here is your chance to “Ask the Experts” at State and Federal Communications, Inc.

Q. I am a registered lobbyist in multiple jurisdictions and my reports are timely filed. Do I have to complete a training course?

A. Depending on where you are registered, you may be subject to a state mandated training requirement. Requiring the completion of a lobbyist training course has been an emerging trend as states expand their ethics and disclosure provisions.

For example, in Utah, a lobbyist must complete training, and obtain a perfect score on the examination, before their lobbying license is issued. In Louisiana, a registered lobbyist must complete one hour of training by December 31 of each year. The state provides in-person training classes, as well as an online training course.

Some states, such as Maryland, require training on bi-annual basis. In New York, the lobbyist is only required to attend a training course once every three years.

Failure to complete the required training can result in penalties to the lobbyist. Louisiana imposes a personal liability requirement on the lobbyist. Failure to complete the mandatory training class may result in a fine of up to $10,000.

While training is mandatory in some states, other states have optional training opportunities available to lobbyists who want to enhance their understanding of the state’s ethics and disclosure provisions. Colorado and Georgia are two of the states currently offering optional training courses.

To obtain additional information about the jurisdictions where you are registered, please visit www.stateandfed.com. Our new website premiered on November 1, 2013.

(We are always available to answer questions from clients that are specific to your needs, and we encourage you to continue to call or e-mail us with questions about your particular company or organization. As always, we will confidentially and directly provide answers or information you need.) Our replies to your questions are not legal advice. Instead, these replies represent our analysis of laws, rules, and regulations.

Lobbying

“Lobbing World” in The Hill.

“Bottom Line” in The Hill.

“TechAmerica Lobbyists Jump Ship for Rival Outfit” by Brian Heaton in Government Technology.

Campaign Finance

“Secret Persuasion: How Big Campaign Donors Stay Anonymous” by Peter Overby, Viveca Novak, and Robert Maguire on NPR.

“From Social Welfare Groups, A River Of Political Influence” by Peter Overby, Viveca Novak, and Robert Maguire on NPR.

“‘Unobtainium’ and the blurry lines of campaign finance law” by Matea Gold in The Washington Post.

“The Dirty Business Of Tax-Exempt Campaign Money Laundries” by Howard Gleckman in Forbes.

Arizona: “State Supreme Court asked to restore increased campaign contributions” by Howard Fischer in the Arizona Daily Star.

Louisiana: “Database: Search Louisiana campaign finance contributions” by Dmitriy Pritykin, in The Times-Picayune.

Louisiana: “Louisiana’s top 400 campaign donors get around legal limits to magnify political influence” by Manuel Torres in The Times-Picayune.

Massachusetts: “Attorney General Martha Coakley’s campaign funds in disarray” by Frank Phillips in The Telegraph.

Minnesota: “Campaign Finance Questions Still Unanswered” by The Associated Press in KAAL TV News.

Ethics

“Twitter IPO Makes House Ethics Nervous” by Matt Fuller in Roll Call.

Tech and Social Media

“What NASA Can Teach the Rest of Government About Using Social Media” by Mark Micheli in Government Executive.

Here is our November – December calendar. State and Federal Communications will be attending these coming events. If you plan to attend as well, be sure to say hello!

November 12-13, 2013   D.C. Lift-off Forum, Washington, D.C.

November 21, 2013   American League of Lobbyists Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C.

November 23 – November 26, 2013   SGAC Leaders Policy Conference, Turnberry, Miami Beach, Florida

December 3, 2013   Weatherhead 100, Cleveland, Ohio

December 4, 2013   Ohio Holiday Party, Washington, D.C.

December 4, 2013   NCSL Foundation Dinner, Washington, D.C.

December 4-7, 2013   NCSL Fall Forum, Washington, D.C.

December 8-11, 2013   Council on Government Ethics Laws Annual Conference, Quebec City, Quebec

On Friday, November 1st, State and Federal Communications’ newly developed website was launched. It is important to know all of the compliance information previously included is still there. What’s new are the following:

• Personalized homepage;
• New bookmarking capabilities;
• Easier access to News You Can Use and LobbyComply.com Blog;
• Daily updates; and
• Viewable from any mobile device.

That last bullet is very important to me and I am sure it is to you, too. I am a walking IT department with my laptop, iPad, iPhone, Microsoft phone, and even my iPod.  Truly over connected at times, but I know I will always have access to www.stateandfed.com for important updates in the states, municipalities, federal, and Canadian governments.

State and Federal Communications is hosting a launch forum on November 12^th and November 13^th at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. If you are interested in learning more about our site from the folks who have put it all together, please give Elliott Postlewait a call at 330-761-9960 or e-mail him at epostlewait@stateandfed.com and set up a time for the program. We welcome you and your staff to our program.

State and Federal Communications, Inc. The same expertise, a new web experience!

Thank you,

Elizabeth Z. Bartz
President and CEO
@elizabethbartz

Lobbying

“Lobby firm brings on Obama aide” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.

California: “FPPC fines ex-lawmaker Mike Roos for improper contributions” by Laurel Rosenhall in The Sacramento Bee.

Florida: “Tallahassee lobbyists won’t be audited until 2015” by Aaron Deslatte in the Orlando Sentinel.

Campaign Finance

California: “Assemblyman Alejo to return $21,092 in excess campaign contributions” by Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times.

Ethics

“Hacking Attempts on Federal Election Commisison Website” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call’s Political MoneyLine.

California: “Ex-Senate leader Dean Florez faces fines for misusing campaign funds” by Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times.

Florida: “Suspend ethics commission, state audit committee tells Palm Beach County” by Jennifer Sorentrue in the Palm Beach Post.

Massachusetts: “Massachusetts: State Ethics Commission conflict plan could have ‘huge effect on towns’” by Andy Metzger in The Republican.

Elections

“Roll Call’s 10 Most Vulnerable House Members Revealed” by Shira T. Center and Emily Cahn and Abby Livingston in Roll Call.

Alabama: “Alabama Special Election Is Proxy Battle for National GOP” by Emily Cahn in Roll Call.

Mississippi: “3 special elections for House seats Tuesday” by The Associated Press in the Sun Herald.

South Carolina: “Dozens of cities are holding elections in SC” by The Associated Press in GoUpstate.com.

Redistricting

Alaska: “Redistricting board withdraws request for delay” by The Associated Press in the Anchorage Daily News.

Lobbying

“Cooley-Dow Lohnes merger leaves lobbyists out” by Catherine Ho in The Washington Post.

“Hotel trade group shakes up lobby team” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.

Alabama: “Bill aims to discourage lawmakers from departing for lobbying positions” by Brian Lyman in the Montgomery Advertiser.

Florida: “As lawmakers consider audits, documents show how lawmakers-turned-lobbyists help tip the scales for large lobbying firms” by Matt Dixon in The Florida Time-Union.

Texas: “Candidates to lead Texas accept meals, gifts, more from lobbyists” by Christy Hoppe in The Dallas Morning News.

Campaign Finance

California: “Disgorgement Fight Could Shape Dark Money’s Future in CA” by Ben Adler in Capital Public Radio.

California: “California probe of campaign donations sheds light on ‘dark money’” by Chris Megerian and Anthony York in the Los Angeles Times.

Washington: “Washington elections draw big out-of-state donations” by Brian M. Rosenthal in The Spokesman-Review.

Ethics

California: “Gifts and elected officials” by Bennett Kessler in Sierra Wave.

New York: “JCOPE leader ballot splits commission 9-5” by James M. Odato in the Times Union.

South Carolina: “State House for Sale: Big businesses pay off in jobs, political contributions” by Jeff Wilkinson in The State.

Elections

“Federal Election Commission Lists 2014 Election Dates” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call’s Political MoneyLine.

Iowa: “Koch Group Has Ambitions in Small Races” by John Eligon in The New York Times.

New York: “N.Y. to run voter hotline on Election Day” by The Associated Press in the Times Union.

The new contribution limits passed earlier this year take effect today. The contribution limit for individuals, corporations, PACs, and other groups increased from $500 to $3,000 for statewide candidates, and from $500 to $1,000 for legislative candidates.

The legislation also eliminated the contribution limits for contributions to political committees.

Q. I am a registered lobbyist with a personal relationship with a state legislator.  I would like to give her a gift for a special occasion.  Is this permissible?

A. As a registered lobbyist, you should always be aware of the restrictions placed on you for providing things of value to a state official.  A number of jurisdictions have strict “no gift” laws in place.  Wisconsin prohibits a lobbyist from providing things of pecuniary value to a legislator with very limited exceptions.

A gift can be permissible based on the personal relationship between the lobbyist and the legislator.  Texas and Florida allow gifts between a registered lobbyist and a legislator if they are related to a certain degree.  Please note that jurisdictions can examine the circumstances of the gift such as the extent of the relationship between the lobbyist and the legislator.  The lack of a history of gift giving between the parties or evidence of a personal relationship may render the gift impermissible.  The federal “friendship” exception also does not apply to state and local jurisdictions.

A registered lobbyist may be allowed to give a gift based on the special occasion or reasoning behind it.  In Massachusetts, a lobbyist may give a legislator gifts on certain occasions of religious or personal significance.  Connecticut allows gifts for certain major life events.  Be sure to confirm if any occasions are excluded.  Massachusetts does not consider a birthday to be an occasion of personal significance!

A gift may not be prohibited even if you are a registered lobbyist.  Confirm whether an intended gift is permissible with your state’s ethics office.

You can directly submit questions for this feature, and we will select those most appropriate and answer them here. Send your questions to: marketing@stateandfed.com.

(We are always available to answer questions from clients that are specific to your needs, and we encourage you to continue to call or e-mail us with questions about your particular company or organization. As always, we will confidentially and directly provide answers or information you need.) Our replies to your questions are not legal advice. Instead, these replies represent our analysis of laws, rules, and regulations.

A special election has been called for Iowa’s 13th Senatorial District, formerly held by Senator Kent Sorenson.

The election will be held on November 19, 2013.

October 16   WASRG Summit–Keynote Sponsor, Washington, DC

October 16-18   Public Affairs Council Fall Board Meeting, Paradise Valley, Arizona

November 4   American League of Lobbyists State Lobbying Session, Washington, D.C.

November 21   American League of Lobbyists Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C.

November 23-November 26   SGAC Leaders’ Policy Conference Turnberry, Miami Beach, Florida