Rhode Island Ethics Commission Votes to Amend Gift Regulation

The Rhode Island Ethics Commission voted to increase the maximum value of gifts public officials can receive from interested persons. The current gift limit of $25 with an aggregated limit of $75 per year will be doubled to $50 and $150 per year. Additionally, the definition of interested persons will be expanded to include lobbyists and lobbyist employers. The new limits will be effective January 1, 2026, after the commission finalizes the changes.

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The Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (COELIG) is accepting comments through October 2 on potential proposals to strengthen ethics and lobbying laws. Proposals include clarifying gift thresholds, additional late fees for lobbyists, restrictions on lobbyist campaign contributions, requiring electronic submission of lobbyist filings, and requiring training for lobbyist filing preparers.

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The Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics proposed rule amendments to align with statutory changes regarding contributions by lobbyists and to make uniform citations. The proposal clarifies rules relating to the ban on lobbyist contributions during legislative sessions and adds a definition for covered officials. The commission will accept written comments on the proposal until October 6 and will hold a public hearing for comments during the commission’s meeting on September 24.

The State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC) proposed a declaratory ruling to allow contributions from digital wallets for the 2026 election cycle on a provisional basis. Payments from digital wallets will be included in the definition of checks and credit cards for campaign contributions if the processor provides enough information to detect fraud. The SEEC is requesting written public comment until September 22 on the proposed ruling.

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The New York Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (COELIG) will hold their third annual public hearing on September 25. The hearing will allow public comment on the operations of the commission and laws the commission enforces. The hearing can be attended in person or through videoconference, and written comments will be accepted until October 9.

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The First Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the ban on contributions from foreign government-influenced entities is likely unconstitutional. The ban, which was approved by voters in a ballot measure in 2023, was found to be too broad and overly restrictive on speech. The case will now be sent back to the district court.

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A special election for State Representative District 20 has been scheduled for August 5. The seat was previously held by Stell Parker Selby who resigned on June 24 after missing the 2025 session for health reasons. Selby had served as a state representative since 2022.

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The New Hampshire General Court stands adjourned as of June 26 until the next call of the chair. A bill to prohibit corporate campaign contributions was voted down in committee. Lawmakers passed a budget for the next two years, which was signed by Gov. Ayotte on June 27.

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The General Assembly passed House Bill 6173,  the Rhode Island Anti-Bid-Rigging Act. The act prohibits two or more persons from predetermining the winning bidder of a contract proposed, offered, or otherwise submitted for competitive bidding by a government entity. Violations of this act are a felony and can cause vendors to be subject to disbarment. The bill was signed by Gov. McKee on June 30 and is effective immediately.

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The Delaware General Assembly adjourned for the year on June 30. Lawmakers passed Senate Bill 60, which requires the Public Service Commission to ensure regulated utilities do not use customer funds to subsidize activities such as lobbying and political contributions. The bill would become effective immediately if approved by Gov. Matt Meyer.

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The Maine Legislature adjourned sine die on June 25, ending the First Special Session of the 132^nd Legislature. Lawmakers passed Legislative Document 009, which increases campaign finance disclosure requirements including creating a definition for public communication to clarify which types of communications to voters must contain a disclosure. Another passed bill, Legislative Document 1787, increases the permissible seed money contribution to gubernational candidates participating in the Maine Clean Elections Act to $250 per individual. Gov. Janet Bills signed both bills, and they will be effective September 24. This does affect lobbying reporting. A registered lobbyist who anticipates no further lobbying for a client may file a request for a non-session waiver with their final monthly report for the session.

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The New York Legislature adjourned with 16,765 bills introduced and 856 bills now headed to Gov. Kathy Hochul for signing. Lawmakers introduced various bills related to lobbying, including Senate Bill 2330 requiring electronic filing of all lobbyist filings and Senate Bill 426, which requires an annual anti-sexual harassment training course for lobbyists. These bills and others failing to pass will be carried over automatically to the next session.

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Gov. Abbott announced he will call a special session to begin on Monday, July 21. Gov. Abbott has placed several bills that were vetoed or filed without signature on the agenda, including bills on regulating products derived from hemp and recording requirements for certain instruments concerning real property. The special session will last 30 days.

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The Maine Legislature passed Legislative Document 1576, which extends the one-year prohibition on lobbying to include former employees of the legislative branch. Currently, the one-year prohibition is only applicable to former employees of the executive branch. Gov. Mills allowed the bill to become law without her signature, and it will go into effect January 1, 2026.

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