July 25, 2024 •
Los Angeles County Governance Reform Ballot Measure
The county has recently proposed governance changes through charter reform which will go before voters as a ballot measure this upcoming November. Some of the proposed changes include expanding the Board of Supervisors from five to nine while also creating […]
The county has recently proposed governance changes through charter reform which will go before voters as a ballot measure this upcoming November.
Some of the proposed changes include expanding the Board of Supervisors from five to nine while also creating a position of an elected County Executive.
The measure would also create an independent ethics commission to further increase transparency and accountability of government officials.
Voters will have an opportunity to vote for this measure come November 5, 2024.
July 11, 2024 •
Sacramento Passes Ordinance Amending Lobbyist Requirements
The city of Sacramento recently passed Ordinance 2024-0015, which amends various aspects of the city’s lobbying code. The definition of lobbyist is amended to lower the compensation threshold of when a contract lobbyist must register from $3,000 to $1,500. The […]
The city of Sacramento recently passed Ordinance 2024-0015, which amends various aspects of the city’s lobbying code.
The definition of lobbyist is amended to lower the compensation threshold of when a contract lobbyist must register from $3,000 to $1,500.
The threshold for a business or organization lobbyist is lowered from 100 hours to 15 hours or more in any three-month period for owners, officers, and employees.
Additional reporting requirements were added for both a contract lobbyist and business or organization lobbyist.
A contract lobbyist must now report the dollar amount of either the received or agreed-upon compensation from each client regarding each legislative or administrative action the lobbyist sought to influence on behalf of the client.
A business or organization lobbyist must now report the dollar amount, in terms of salary or wages, of the time spent by each owner, officer, or employee who conducted lobbying activities for each legislative or administrative action.
Lobbyists must also report all campaign contributions made by a lobbyist (or a client at the lobbyist’s behest) to any city official regardless of the amount.
Finally, the city has passed a gift limit of $10 per calendar month from city lobbyists to any city official. Ordinance 2024-0015 becomes effective July 25.
May 17, 2024 •
Alaska Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The Alaska Legislature adjourned sine die on May 16 after pushing through a flurry of bills in the final days. The Senate adjourned right before the midnight hour on Wednesday while the House continued to work into Thursday morning. This […]
The Alaska Legislature adjourned sine die on May 16 after pushing through a flurry of bills in the final days.
The Senate adjourned right before the midnight hour on Wednesday while the House continued to work into Thursday morning.
This has raised questions about the legality of those pieces of legislation which were passed after the midnight deadline.
The main focus towards the end of the session was on a few different energy bills, rather than the usual budget negotiations.
The legislature also passed several major policy bills regarding crime, the budget, and education issues.
April 12, 2024 •
Idaho Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The Idaho legislative session has come to an end after being extended into the month of April. Notable legislation passed and signed by Gov. Brad Little includes two campaign finance bills. House Bill 664 issues guidelines for the use of […]
The Idaho legislative session has come to an end after being extended into the month of April.
Notable legislation passed and signed by Gov. Brad Little includes two campaign finance bills.
House Bill 664 issues guidelines for the use of synthetic media in electioneering communications and requires certain disclosures and disclaimers within such communications.
Senate Bill 1251 amends the definition of political committee by removing language exempting federal PACs from being considered a political committee.
This does affect lobbying reporting.
A lobbyist activity report will now be due on May 15 for the expenditures made during the month of April.
March 20, 2024 •
Injunction Blocking Alaska Election Disclosure Rules Denied By The Ninth Circuit
A voter-backed measure, known as Ballot Measure 2, was recently upheld when the Ninth Circuit affirmed a federal judge’s denial of a preliminary injunction blocking it. The measure requires immediate disclosure of contributions aggregating to more than $2,000 per year. […]
A voter-backed measure, known as Ballot Measure 2, was recently upheld when the Ninth Circuit affirmed a federal judge’s denial of a preliminary injunction blocking it.
The measure requires immediate disclosure of contributions aggregating to more than $2,000 per year.
The decision stems from a previous injunction that was filed back in 2022, by political donors against enforcement of the measure, claiming the initiative’s burdensome disclosure rules would lead to retaliation against them for their political activity.
Chief Judge Mary H. Murguia held the district correctly concluded the plaintiffs argument of first amendment issues was likely to fail and affirmed the lower courts decision.
March 15, 2024 •
Wyoming Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The legislative session came to an end late in the evening on March 8 after days of debate over the budget. A unified budget bill was passed and provides funding for nursing homes, preschool for developmentally disabled children, and home […]
The legislative session came to an end late in the evening on March 8 after days of debate over the budget.
A unified budget bill was passed and provides funding for nursing homes, preschool for developmentally disabled children, and home services for senior centers.
March 8, 2024 •
Oregon Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The legislature adjourned sine die on March 7. Lawmakers passed a campaign finance reform bill which creates state campaign contribution limits and authorizes local governments to establish lower limits for local elections. House Bill 4024 also requires the disclosure of […]
The legislature adjourned sine die on March 7.
Lawmakers passed a campaign finance reform bill which creates state campaign contribution limits and authorizes local governments to establish lower limits for local elections.
House Bill 4024 also requires the disclosure of certain information on political advertising and requires specific persons to report the original sources of funds used to pay candidate campaign independent expenditures.
The contribution limits will become operative on January 1, 2027 and the enhanced campaign contribution and independent expenditure reporting requirements will become operative on January 1, 2028.
If signed by the governor, the bill is effective June 6.
March 8, 2024 •
Washington Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The Legislature quietly adjourned sine die on March 7 after passing a procurement and campaign finance bill. House Bill 1471 modifies the state procurement procedures and revises definitions concerning competitive, sole source, convenience, and emergency goods and services contracts. Senate […]
The Legislature quietly adjourned sine die on March 7 after passing a procurement and campaign finance bill.
House Bill 1471 modifies the state procurement procedures and revises definitions concerning competitive, sole source, convenience, and emergency goods and services contracts.
Senate Bill 5857 reorganizes the campaign disclosure and contributions statutes through technical amendments involving campaign disclosure and contributions at the state and local levels.
These bills will now be sent to the governor for his signature.
March 7, 2024 •
San Francisco Voters Approve Proposition D Changing City Ethics Law
Voters approved a ballot measure making changes to the city ethics law. Proposition D imposes more restrictive prohibitions on gifts to public officials and requires additional ethics training for public officials. Certain definitions such as bribery are amended to become […]
Voters approved a ballot measure making changes to the city ethics law.
Proposition D imposes more restrictive prohibitions on gifts to public officials and requires additional ethics training for public officials.
Certain definitions such as bribery are amended to become more restrictive in order to prohibit public officials from accepting items of value aimed at influencing governmental decision making.
The effective date will be 10 days after the date the official vote count is declared by the Board of Supervisors.
February 22, 2024 •
Oregon Campaign Contribution Limits In Negotiation
State business and labor groups have been working on legislation to limit campaign contributions in state races. Oregon is one of just five states with no limits on political contributions. These negotiations come as a proposal, known as Initiative Petition […]
State business and labor groups have been working on legislation to limit campaign contributions in state races.
Oregon is one of just five states with no limits on political contributions.
These negotiations come as a proposal, known as Initiative Petition 9, has a chance of qualifying for the November ballot.
The petition would impose additional campaign finance disclosures and strict contribution limits for individuals, political parties, and interest groups.
December 21, 2023 •
San Jose City Council Passes Foreign Influence Ban
San Jose City Council voted to pass a memorandum to bar multinational corporations from spending money to influence elections. Corporations would be prohibited from spending money in elections if they are foreign-influenced. This would be defined as 1 percent or […]
San Jose City Council voted to pass a memorandum to bar multinational corporations from spending money to influence elections.
Corporations would be prohibited from spending money in elections if they are foreign-influenced.
This would be defined as 1 percent or more ownership by a single foreign investor or five percent or more ownership by multiple foreign investors.
The passage of this memorandum will go to a final reading at a city council meeting in January where it is expected to pass unanimously.
December 18, 2023 •
Washington Updates Lobbying Reporting Thresholds
The Public Disclosure Commission recently voted to adjust the lobbying reporting thresholds due to inflation. This was decided after a public hearing was held and is a continuation of a broader effort to update the thresholds through the state’s political […]
The Public Disclosure Commission recently voted to adjust the lobbying reporting thresholds due to inflation.
This was decided after a public hearing was held and is a continuation of a broader effort to update the thresholds through the state’s political disclosure rules.
Updates include an increased threshold for itemizing expenditures on entertainment and food or beverage for public officials from $50 to $100.
Another update raises the limit for lobbyist and lobbyist employer reporting of a last-minute contribution from $1,000 to $1,500.
The thresholds will be in effect for the January reporting period due in February.
The December reporting period due in January will fall under previous thresholds. The new reporting thresholds take effect on January 8, 2024.
December 14, 2023 •
Meet our Expert – Ryan Silvestro, J.D.
What are your areas of expertise? I manage a portfolio of states, counties, and municipalities primarily located on the West Coast. Part of my experience relies on monitoring relevant legislative, regulatory, and rule-making activity and using independent judgement and discretion […]
What are your areas of expertise?
I manage a portfolio of states, counties, and municipalities primarily located on the West Coast. Part of my experience relies on monitoring relevant legislative, regulatory, and rule-making activity and using independent judgement and discretion to determine how to incorporate the information. I also work with our clients to ensure they are aware of and adhering to any and all rules and regulations concerning lobbying, gifts to public officials, political contributions, and procurement. Client-specific research is another important task I perform routinely in order to provide the best information possible.
How long have you been with State and Federal Communications?
I have been a Manager of Research Services with State and Federal Communications, Inc. for just under two years.
How do you help our clients?
In addition to answering specific question from clients, I also assist in preparing, reviewing, and filing the lobbyist registrations and lobbyist activity reports.
December 12, 2023 •
New Jersey Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Challenging Recent Campaign Finance Overhaul
Superior Court Judge Robert Lougy recently dismissed a lawsuit filed by the head of the state’s enforcement agency challenging the constitutionality of a recent campaign finance overhaul. The lawsuit was initially filed by former Executive Director Jeff Brindle of the […]
Superior Court Judge Robert Lougy recently dismissed a lawsuit filed by the head of the state’s enforcement agency challenging the constitutionality of a recent campaign finance overhaul.
The lawsuit was initially filed by former Executive Director Jeff Brindle of the Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC), seeking to block sections of the Elections Transparency Act.
This included a provision allowing Gov. Phil Murphy to directly appoint the four members of ELEC without the advice and consent of the Senate within a temporary 90-day period.
A provision reducing the amount of time the commission has to investigate campaign finance violations was also challenged.
Lougy determined the legislation was focused on several valid purposes that pertained directly to its subject matter.
The case was dismissed with prejudice and therefore unable to be filed again.
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.