November 10, 2010 •
Louisiana Extends Lobbying Law to Local Governments
With the passage and subsequent gubernatorial approval of Senate Bill 507, Louisiana has extended the application of its lobbying law to local governments. The provisions of the bill take effect on January 1, 2011.
Although the provisions of the bill were enacted as a new and separate chapter in the Louisiana Revised Statutes, they largely mirror the requirements of the lobbying laws already applicable to legislative and executive branch lobbying on the state level. For example, as it is on the state level, registrations expire on December 31st of each year and registration renewals are due on January 31st at the latest. Reports of local lobbying activity are due on the 25th day of each month, as they are at the state level. And the information required to be disclosed is largely the same.
The bill contains a provision found in the state executive branch lobbying law, but not in the legislative branch lobbying law, which allows an employer to file reports on behalf of all the lobbyists representing that employer’s interests. An employer wishing to exercise that option must notify the board of ethics by January 31st.
Unlike the state-level lobbying laws, the bill does not specify a registration fee for local lobbyists.
The Louisiana Board of Ethics is responsible under the bill for administering and enforcing the provisions of the bill. This includes educational activities and seminars related to the bill, as well as the assessment of late filing fees.
State and Federal Communications will continue to monitor developments with regard to local lobbying laws in Louisiana as the bill goes into effect and is implemented by the board of ethics.
Photo of the Louisiana State Capitol by Bluepoint951 on Wikipedia.
September 23, 2010 •
Lobbying News from Guam
Governor signs a new law affecting lobbying registration and reporting.
The governor of Guam has signed legislation replacing its existing lobbying law with new provisions requiring registration for legislative lobbyists and reporting on the 10th day of the month following the end of a quarter.
The legislation also contains a revolving door provision and penalties for violations of the act.
The Office of the Governor of Guam and the 30th Guam Legislature.
August 27, 2010 •
New Rules in Maine for Reporting Independent Expenditures
The Maine Ethics Commission adopted emergency rules to address regulations deemed “unconstitutionally burdensome” by a federal court last week. The new rules apply to political action committees, party committees, and other outside groups making independent expenditures.
Beginning September 7th, independent expenditures exceeding $250 must be reported within 48 hours of the expenditure. Starting on October 20th, independent expenditures exceeding $100 must be reported within 24 hours. Other reports of independent expenditures will be required on September 7th, October 12th, and October 19th.
Here is the Notice on Reporting Independent Expenditures on the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices Web site.
Photo by AlbanyNY on Wikipedia.
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