March 12, 2024 •
Indiana Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The second regular session of the 123rd General Assembly adjourned sine die on March 8, earlier than scheduled. The Legislature was focused on education, passing several education related bills. Gov. Eric Holcomb has seven days to sign legislation once it […]
The second regular session of the 123rd General Assembly adjourned sine die on March 8, earlier than scheduled.
The Legislature was focused on education, passing several education related bills.
Gov. Eric Holcomb has seven days to sign legislation once it lands on his desk.
If he does not sign a bill, it becomes law.
If he vetoes a piece of legislation, the Legislature can override the veto with a majority vote in both houses.
February 23, 2024 •
Proposed Ordinance Would Extend Pay-to-Play Restrictions to Officers of City Contractors in Chicago
A proposed amendment to the city’s ethics ordinance introduced at City Council would extend the existing $1,500 per-year campaign contribution limit on individuals and entities doing business with the City of Chicago to include officers, directors, partners, or owners of […]
A proposed amendment to the city’s ethics ordinance introduced at City Council would extend the existing $1,500 per-year campaign contribution limit on individuals and entities doing business with the City of Chicago to include officers, directors, partners, or owners of 1% or more of those companies and their spouses or domestic partners.
Reaching the $1,500 limit by a corporate entity or any combination of its officers, leadership, and their spouses, would block all further contributions from any of those sources.
The ordinance also amends the ethics ordinance to create an affirmative duty for every city contractor or lobbyist to report any information concerning conduct by any person which the contractor or lobbyist knows to involve corrupt activity.
A failure to report would constitute an event of default for the contractor and suspension of the lobbyist’s registration for two years in addition to other penalties.
If passed, the ordinance would become effective 10 days after passage.
February 23, 2024 •
Illinois Bill Would Require Lobbyists to Report Compensation
Following sentencing of former House Speaker Mike Madigan’s chief of staff, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced a series of ethics reforms to strengthen enforcement and require more transparency and disclosure regarding the financial dealings of lobbyists. House Bill 4591 […]
Following sentencing of former House Speaker Mike Madigan’s chief of staff, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced a series of ethics reforms to strengthen enforcement and require more transparency and disclosure regarding the financial dealings of lobbyists.
House Bill 4591 requires lobbyists to report compensation received from clients and gives the secretary of state more authority to investigate violations of the Lobbyist Registration Act.
The bill also would allow the secretary of state to investigate anyone who is lobbying but has not registered as a lobbyist.
The office could revoke, suspend, or bar a person from lobbying for up to one year if failing to file reports or pay a fine.
Lobbyists will be required to keep records for three years, up from two, or face possible revocation of their license.
February 16, 2024 •
New York Special Election Scheduled
Gov. Kathy Hochul issued a proclamation ordering a special election to fill the vacancy in the U.S. House of Representatives District 26 for the unexpired term of Rep. Brian Higgins. The special election will be held on April 30. Higgins, […]
Gov. Kathy Hochul issued a proclamation ordering a special election to fill the vacancy in the U.S. House of Representatives District 26 for the unexpired term of Rep. Brian Higgins.
The special election will be held on April 30.
Higgins, who announced his resignation citing frustrations about the growing dysfunction in Congress, will become president of Shea’s Performing Arts Center.
U.S. House District 26 covers parts of Erie and Niagara counties in western New York.
December 22, 2023 •
District Court Blocks Implementation of New Minnesota Campaign Finance Law
The U.S. District Court granted a motion for a preliminary injunction in Minnesota Chamber of Commerce v. Choi (0:23-cv-02015), preventing the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board from enforcing a bill restricting political activities by foreign-influenced corporations. House File […]
The U.S. District Court granted a motion for a preliminary injunction in Minnesota Chamber of Commerce v. Choi (0:23-cv-02015), preventing the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board from enforcing a bill restricting political activities by foreign-influenced corporations.
House File 3 was to be effective January 1, 2024, and would require a corporation making a contribution to a ballot question or an independent expenditure to submit a certification to the board that it was not a foreign-influenced corporation as of the date the contribution or expenditure was made.
The bill defines a foreign-influenced corporation as one for which a single foreign investor owns 1% or more; two or more foreign investors own 5% or more; or a foreign investor participates directly or indirectly in the corporation’s decision-making process with respect to the corporation’s political activities in the United States.
December 19, 2023 •
New Corporate Expenditure Law Signed In Michigan
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed House Bill 4234, permitting corporations to make administrative expenditures to non-connected separate segregated funds (SSFs). The bill changes the definitions of contribution and expenditure to permit expenditures made by a corporation to provide for the collection […]
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed House Bill 4234, permitting corporations to make administrative expenditures to non-connected separate segregated funds (SSFs).
The bill changes the definitions of contribution and expenditure to permit expenditures made by a corporation to provide for the collection and transfer of contributions to an SSF for which it is not a connected organization.
Previously these were prohibited in-kind contributions.
Contributions or expenditures made to facilitate contributions to an SSF through a payroll deduction plan also do not qualify as contributions or expenditures.
Any costs of establishing or administering a payroll deduction plan for contributions to an SSF are not considered expenditures.
The bill also removes a restriction on public bodies using public funds to set up a payroll deduction plan for political contributions from consenting employees.
Public employees may participate in payroll deductions for their labor union’s PAC and the public body is permitted to use public funds to administer the process.
The new law will be effective February 13, 2024.
December 15, 2023 •
New Michigan Campaign Finance Laws Prohibit Distribution of Deceptive Political Ads
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed three campaign finance bills effective February 13, 2024. House Bill 5141, House Bill 5143, and House Bill 5144, prohibit distributing materially deceptive media and amend the disclaimer requirements for political ads and add definitions to the […]
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed three campaign finance bills effective February 13, 2024.
House Bill 5141, House Bill 5143, and House Bill 5144, prohibit distributing materially deceptive media and amend the disclaimer requirements for political ads and add definitions to the Campaign Finance Act to facilitate the implementation of the new laws.
House Bill 5144 prohibits a person from distributing materially deceptive media if all of the following apply:
- The person knows the media falsely represents a depicted individual;
- The distribution occurs within 90 days before an election;
- The person intends the distribution to harm the reputation or electoral prospects of a candidate in an election and likely to cause that result; and
- The person intends the distribution to change the voting behavior of electors in an election by deceiving the electors.
House Bill 5141 amends the disclaimer requirements for political ads, including special requirements for ads generated by artificial intelligence.
House Bill 5143 adds the definitions to the Michigan Campaign Finance Act including artificial intelligence, ballot question committee, bundling committee, and business.
December 13, 2023 •
Chicago Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight Recommends Lobbying Amendments
The Chicago City Council Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight recommended the passage of a substitute ordinance broadening the definition of registered lobbyists to include nonprofits with several exceptions to ease concerns from the nonprofit community. An ordinance was passed […]
The Chicago City Council Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight recommended the passage of a substitute ordinance broadening the definition of registered lobbyists to include nonprofits with several exceptions to ease concerns from the nonprofit community.
An ordinance was passed in July 2019 to impose new registration and reporting requirements on certain nonprofit interactions with the city, but after many concerns were raised, implementation never took place.
Substitute Ordinance 2023-2937 clarifies the definition of lobbying to make it easier for both for-profit and nonprofit organizations to understand.
Lobbyist is any individual who, on behalf of any other person, contacts or communicates directly with a city official or employee to influence any administrative action or legislative action.
The ordinance also amends the exceptions to the definition of lobbying to exempt any nonprofit entity having both an operating budget and net assets or fund balances of less than $5 million.
The ordinance also establishes a monetary and hourly threshold for registration.
Registration is required for lobbyists who are paid or otherwise compensated, or spend at least $1,250, in any combination, for lobbying in any lobbyist reporting period; or who spend more than 20 hours on lobbying in any lobbyist reporting period.
The ordinance also adds definitions concerning grassroots lobbying, reporting periods, covered activity, and exemptions.
Total fines for failure to file a report would be capped at $20,000 per violation.
If passed, the ordinance will be effective July 1, 2024, to give the Board of Ethics ample time to conduct a robust public education campaign.
December 11, 2023 •
New York Gov. Hochul Vetoes Bill Closing Judicial Lobbying Loophole
Gov. Kathy Hochul vetoed legislation inspired by the 2023 session’s chief judge battle. Senate Bill 4152 would have required lobbying groups to disclose spending on campaigns for or against gubernatorial nominees to state office, including the nomination or confirmation of […]
Gov. Kathy Hochul vetoed legislation inspired by the 2023 session’s chief judge battle.
Senate Bill 4152 would have required lobbying groups to disclose spending on campaigns for or against gubernatorial nominees to state office, including the nomination or confirmation of any person for a position subject to confirmation by the Senate.
Hochul’s initial nominee for chief judge of the state Court of Appeals, Hector D. LaSalle, sparked fierce efforts to support and oppose his appointment, including unregulated campaigns that sought to alter the outcome.
The groups lobbying for LaSalle’s nomination voluntarily reported their lobbying while the groups lobbying against LaSalle’s nomination declined to do so, stating there was no requirement to report.
Senate Democrats blocked the nomination of LaSalle, marking the first time the Legislature has not confirmed a candidate for the Court of Appeals.
Hochul cited significant new reporting requirements and implementation costs not already accounted for in her veto memo.
December 11, 2023 •
Minnesota Board Releases Potentially Controversial Draft Rule Language
The Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board issued draft rule language staff considers to be potentially controversial. The language will be considered by the board’s three-member rulemaking committee at one or more public meetings to be announced at a later […]
The Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board issued draft rule language staff considers to be potentially controversial.
The language will be considered by the board’s three-member rulemaking committee at one or more public meetings to be announced at a later date.
Interested parties will have an opportunity to comment on the draft rule language.
Once it is available staff will also release draft rule language intended to implement changes made by the Legislature in 2023 to statutes governing lobbyist regulation and reporting.
Information related to the rulemaking process, including how to sign up for the rulemaking notice list, the dates of any scheduled rulemaking committee meetings, copies of official documents, copies of formal comments received by the board, and draft rules, will be posted on the board’s rulemaking docket webpage at cfb.mn.gov/citizen-resources/the-board/statutes-and-rules/rulemaking-docket.
December 11, 2023 •
New York Special Election Scheduled for February 13, 2024
Gov. Kathy Hochul issued a proclamation ordering a special election on February 13, 2024, to fill the vacancy in the United States House of Representatives Third Congressional District for the unexpired term of George Santos. Santos was expelled on December […]
Gov. Kathy Hochul issued a proclamation ordering a special election on February 13, 2024, to fill the vacancy in the United States House of Representatives Third Congressional District for the unexpired term of George Santos.
Santos was expelled on December 1, causing House Republicans to be down a seat for the next two months, with an even narrower majority in the closely divided chamber.
The seat in Nassau and Queens counties is a key piece in the Democrats’ plan to retake the House majority next year.
Former Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi, who left in 2022 to mount a failed run for governor, is a lead contender to reclaim his old seat.
November 29, 2023 •
Michigan Lobby Registration Act 2024 Reporting Thresholds Published
The Bureau of Elections posted the Lobby Registration Act 2024 Reporting Thresholds, which change every year in January to reflect the change in the consumer price index for Detroit. The registration thresholds for individual lobbyist compensation and for employer expenditures […]
The Bureau of Elections posted the Lobby Registration Act 2024 Reporting Thresholds, which change every year in January to reflect the change in the consumer price index for Detroit.
The registration thresholds for individual lobbyist compensation and for employer expenditures on a single official increased from $725 to $775.
Exempt expenditures increased from $15 to $16.
The registration threshold for an employer making lobbying expenditures increased from $2,900 to $3,075 for any 12-month period.
The financial transaction threshold between a registered employer or lobbyist and a public official increased from $1,450 to $1,550.
The reporting threshold for travel and lodging reimbursements increased from $950 to $1,000.
Monthly food and beverage expenditures allowance for a public official increased from $72 to $76, and the threshold for food and beverages purchased between January 1 and end the reporting period increased from $450 to $475.
Employee reimbursements increased from $29 to $31, and the general gift threshold also increased from $72 to $76.
Late filing fees increased from $29 a day up to a maximum of $870, to $31 a day up to a maximum of $930.
November 16, 2023 •
New Hampshire Presidential Primary Is January 23
Secretary of State David Scanlan announced January 23 as the date of its presidential primary, eight days after the Iowa caucuses and defying the Democratic National Committee’s plans to give South Carolina the party’s first primary contest. New Hampshire has […]
Secretary of State David Scanlan announced January 23 as the date of its presidential primary, eight days after the Iowa caucuses and defying the Democratic National Committee’s plans to give South Carolina the party’s first primary contest.
New Hampshire has held its first in the nation primary status for more than a century.
In 1975, the state enacted a law that required the primary to take place at least seven or more days before any other state.
Biden’s name will be missing from the New Hampshire presidential primary ballot this year, and they face a potential loss of delegates to the Democratic convention, for not following the party’s new order.
November 14, 2023 •
Michigan Adjourns Sine Die Early Enabling February Presidential Primary
The 102nd Legislature adjourned sine die on November 14 after the House and Senate adopted House Concurrent Resolution 10 to adjourn sine die early to start the 90-day clock for the effective date of bills not receiving enough Republican support […]
The 102nd Legislature adjourned sine die on November 14 after the House and Senate adopted House Concurrent Resolution 10 to adjourn sine die early to start the 90-day clock for the effective date of bills not receiving enough Republican support to take effect immediately.
This includes legislation changing the date for Michigan’s 2024 presidential primary election to February 27, 2024.
Lawmakers passed bills to require elected state officers and candidates to annually file a financial disclosure report by April 15 of each year.
Just before the adjournment, House Democrats temporarily lost their narrow two-seat majority when two lawmakers won mayoral elections, creating a 54-54 tie.
However, Democratic House Speaker Joe Tate noted House Rules adopted in January only require a leadership change if there is a 55-55 tie and Democrats are unlikely to lose either of their two vacant seats in special elections likely to occur next spring.
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.