LobbyComply Blog

The Nebraska Legislature adjourned its regular session sine die on April 17. Lawmakers passed Legislative Bill 1075, a bill related to campaign finance and lobbying. The bill increases committee registration fees and increases late filing fees for committee registrations, registration updates, reports, and independent expenditure reports. The bill also requires ballot question committees to include in their statements of organization a certification that no preliminary activity was directly or indirectly funded by one or more foreign nationals. The bill allows committee reports disclosing certain contributors to list a post office box address for the contributor, unless the contributor is a committee, and increases late filing fees for lobbyist and principal activity reports. The bill was passed as an emergency and takes effect immediately. This does affect lobbying reporting. An activity report is due 45 days following adjournment on June 1.

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National/Federal

Donald Trump Ballroom Donations Under Scrutiny for Potentially Breaking Law

MSN – Kate Plummer (Newsweek) | Published: 4/7/2026

Donations made to President Trump’s White House ballroom are under scrutiny for potentially breaking the law. The Campaign Legal Center wrote to Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, urging her office to investigate whether lobbyists violated federal lobbying law by not disclosing donations to this and other projects overseen by the president.

Reps. Swalwell, Gonzales Say They’ll Leave Congress Ahead of Possible Expulsion Votes

MSN – Mariana Alfaro and Amy Wang (Washington Post) | Published: 4/13/2026

Reps. Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales separately announced plans to depart from Congress ahead of possible expulsion votes related to allegations of sexual misconduct. The departures of Swalwell and Gonzales, one Democrat and one Republican, would mean the Republicans’ narrow majority in the House remains unchanged if they leave the chamber at the same time

From the States and Municipalities

Colorado – Colorado Justices Weigh Constitutionality of Unique Disclosure Requirement for Ballot Measures

Colorado Politics – Michael Karlik | Published: 4/13/2026

Members of the Colorado Supreme Court considered whether a provision of the state’s campaign finance law violates the First Amendment by requiring the disclosure of a ballot measure committee’s legal representative on advertisements. Initially, No on EE – A Bad Deal for Colorado spent more than $3 million on communications opposing a ballot measure without listing its registered agent, who is the person designated to receive mailings and file campaign finance reports. After a complaint, the group revised its advertisements to correct the omission.

Illinois – Appeals Court Says It Will Reverse Convictions, Orders Two ‘ComEd Four’ Defendants Released from Prison

Yahoo News – Jason Meisner (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 4/14/2026

A federal appeals court announced it will grant new trials to former Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) Chief Executive Officer Anne Pramaggiore and lobbyist Michael McClain and ordered them released from prison on bond. The extraordinary development comes nearly three years after Pramaggiore and McClain were convicted as part of the landmark “ComEd Four” case alleging a conspiracy to bribe then-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.

Indiana – State Ethics Commission Rules Against Former IEDC Official, Grants Waiver to Governor’s Aide

Yahoo News – Leslie Bonilla Muñiz (Indiana Capital Chronicle) | Published: 4/10/2026

The Indiana State Ethics Commission unanimously found thata statutory one-year waiting period applies to a former state official hoping to accept a job offer at a company whose contracts he previously oversaw. The commission also approved a waiver of other state ethics laws for Jason Johnson, currently the deputy chief of staff of legislative affairs for Gov. Mike Braun’s office. Johnson requested a waiver of the one-year waiting requirement before former state employees can work as lobbyists.

Louisiana – Louisiana Political Donors Would Have Addresses Redacted from Public Reports Under Bill

Yahoo News – Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) | Published: 4/14/2026

The Louisiana Legislature might block the public from seeing the addresses of political donors who give money to campaigns starting August 1. Sen. Caleb Kleinpeter sponsored a sprawling bill meant to continue the rewrite of state campaign finance laws that were drastically overhauled last year. The legislation also raises the threshold at which political contributions have to be reported.

New York – NY Elections Officials Have Sued Nearly 300 Campaigns as Enforcement Increases

MSN – Emilie Munson (Albany Times Union) | Published: 4/9/2026

Four years ago, New York’s election enforcement division had filed no cases against campaigns alleged to have broken the law by failing to file official reports. That is despite the fact that thousands of candidates and political committees had missing reports in violation of the law. But since then, election officials have started to more aggressively crack down on violations. Since October 2023, the state Division of Election Law Enforcement filed court cases against at least 261 candidates and committees that have failed to file their campaign information or were delinquent.

Oregon – Kotek Quietly Signs Bill Weakening, Delaying Parts of Oregon’s Campaign Finance Law

MSN – Hillary Borrud and Carlos Fuentes (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 4/11/2026

Campaign donors will be allowed to spend more money on Oregon elections, with less transparency, under a bill that Gov. Tina Kotek signed into law. Good government groups called on the governor to veto the legislation, citing a variety of ways House Bill 4018 would let interest groups and wealthy individuals spend more than allowed under the state’s 2024 campaign finance law. Contribution limits in that two-year-old law do not take effect until next year, and Oregon currently allows unlimited political spending.

Pennsylvania – Did Pa. Governor Candidate Stacy Garrity Need to Register as a Lobbyist? Her Work for a Defense Contractor Raises Questions

WHYY – Carmen Russell-Sluchansky | Published: 4/14/2026

Before taking office as Pennsylvania treasurer in January 2021, Stacy Garrity served in senior positions at a defense contractor, where a significant part of her last role focused heavily on influencing public policy tied to military manufacturing and global trade. She has publicly taken credit for successfully moving legislation forward and has met with legislators and otherwise pushed her company’s interests with government officials. And yet, she never registered as a lobbyist.

Vermont – Ethics Panel Dismisses Complaints Over Lawmakers’ Trip to Israel

Seven Days Vermont – Hannah Bassett | Published: 4/14/2026

The House Ethics Panel dismissed complaints against five Vermont representatives who visited Israel last September on a trip sponsored by the Israeli government. The panel concluded that the lawmakers did not violate the state ethics code by participating in the overseas visit. Jewish Voice for Peace Vermont-New Hampshire alleged the legislators violated the gifts provision in the law by improperly accepting free airfare, lodging, and meals from the Israeli government for an event whose “chief purpose” was lobbying.

The Maine General Assembly passed a bill increasing the monetary threshold for 24-hour PAC reports and independent expenditure reports. Legislative Document 2000 requires PACs to file 24-hour reports after receiving a contribution of at least $10,000 or making an expenditure of $2,500 or more. Previously, PACs were required to file when receiving a contribution of at least $5,000 or making an expenditure of $1,000 or more. The threshold for PACs to file independent expenditure reports is increased from $250 or more per candidate to $1,000 or more per candidate. The bill became effective upon Gov. Mills’s approval.

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The Kansas Legislature adjourned its regular session sine die on April 11. Lawmakers passed the House substitute for Senate Bill 260, concerning election and campaign finance laws. Introduced in 2025 as a bill related to horse racing, the bill was substituted in March with a bill for state data collection on newborns to advertise children’s savings accounts and amended in conference committee to its final form. The bill removes the requirement to list a committee treasurer’s name in attributions in political advertisements and on communications intended to influence the vote in question-submitted elections. In addition, when a committee expenditure is made by payment to an advertising agency, public relations firm, or political consultants for disbursements to vendors, reports of expenditures are no longer required to show in detail the name of each vendor. Gov. Laura Kelly approved the bill on April 7, and it takes effect July 1.

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The Mississippi Legislature adjourned after passing the state budget but may reconvene on April 15 unless it is declared unnecessary by the leaders of the House and Senate. Many procurement and political contribution bills died in committee this session. These include a bill that would raise competitive bidding thresholds to $15,000, a change in primary election dates, and prohibition on contributions from foreign nationals. Bills that have passed include raises to teachers’ salaries, changing the structure of public employee’s retirement systems, and natural disaster relief.

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National/Federal

Wealthy Donors Are Hiding Political Money in Secretive Nonprofits

Journal-News – Theodore Schleifer and Steven Rich (New York Times) | Published: 4/3/2026

Increasingly, individuals do not cut big checks to campaigns, donations in which their names would have to be disclosed to the FEC or state regulators. They come more and more from an alphabet soup of patriotic-sounding philanthropic organizations that send hundreds of millions of dollars to PACs but do not have to disclose where the money came from. So-called dark money is not new. But a review of new election filings and internal fundraising documents shows an increase in the use of these shadowy philanthropic groups to raise money on behalf of candidates in federal elections.

From the States and Municipalities

California – Top S.F. Official Who Led Dream Keeper Equity Program Charged with Felonies: ‘Abuse of power’

Yahoo News – St. John Barned-Smith and Michael Barba (San Francisco Chronicle) | Published: 3/30/2026

Once San Francisco’s most powerful civil rights watchdog, Sheryl Davis continued her fall when she surrendered to authorities to face accusations she misappropriated funds and engaged in “pervasive” self-dealing while leading a landmark initiative meant to benefit the city’s Black community. District Attorney Brooke Jenkins filed a raft of felony financial misconduct charges against Davis, who oversaw the San Francisco Human Rights Commission, and James Spingola, the former chief executive officer of Collective Impact, a nonprofit Davis funded.

Hawaii – Convicted Hawai’i Lawmaker’s Emails Were Deleted When He Left Office

Honolulu Civil Beat – Madeleine Valera | Published: 4/8/2026

Soon after state Rep. Ty Cullen left office, resigning in disgrace due to a bribery scandal, the Hawaii House of Representatives wiped his email account clean, deleting years of messages. What kinds of emails he exchanged with the man convicted of bribing him, Milton Choy, the public may never know. Also unknown is what kinds of conversations, if any, Cullen shared with lobbyist Tobi Solidum, who is believed to be connected to an investigation into $35,000 in a paper bag given to another “influential” lawmaker in 2022.

Kentucky – Lobbying Interests Fund Small Political Nonprofit – and a Republican State Senator

Yahoo News – Tom Loftus (Kentucky Lantern) | Published: 4/3/2026

Since January 2023 a political organization named Kentucky Strong Inc. has paid its executive director, state Sen. Julie Raque Adams, $80,500. In fact, 12 payments to Adams totaling $80,500 were the only expenses reported by the organization in the three-year period ending January 2026. Over roughly the same period, Kentucky Strong was funded exclusively by interests that actively lobby the Kentucky General Assembly.

New York – Blakeman Campaign Denied Matching Funds by Dems on Campaign Board

Yahoo News – Timothy Fanning (Albany Times Union) | Published: 3/31/2026

An arm of the state Board of Elections denied campaign matching funds to Republican Bruce Blakeman and five other New York gubernatorial candidates based on a rule change the agency’s staffers failed to tell anyone about. The Public Campaign Finance Board, where Democrats hold the majority, ruled along partisan lines that Blakeman was ineligible because he did not file the correct paperwork to qualify for a program that allows a candidate to obtain matching taxpayer money if they raise enough money from state residents.

North Carolina – Who Paid to Help Oust NC’s Phil Berger? Voters May Never Now. Here’s Why.

Yahoo News – Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi (Raleigh News and Observer) | Published: 4/3/2026

Much remains unknown about who funded the race that ended Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger’s more than two decades in the North Carolina Legislature, with voters electing challenger and Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page to represent the district by fewer than two dozen votes. A large part of the opacity comes from political advertising by individuals, groups, and nonprofits, many of which are not required to disclose donors. Some of those ads, called electioneering communications, mention a candidate but stop short of explicitly urging voters to support or oppose them, a practice often referred to as issue advocacy.

Ohio – US Supreme Court Overturns PG Sittenfeld Corruption Conviction

MSN – Jeremy Pelzer (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 4/6/2026

The U.S. Supreme Court granted federal prosecutors’ request to overturn ex-Cincinnati City Councilperson PG Sittenfeld’s corruption conviction, opening the door for a lower court to dismiss his case given that President Trump pardoned him last year. The ruling marks what could be the first time in Supreme Court history that the nation’s high court accepted an appeal from a defendant who had already received a presidential pardon for a criminal conviction.

Rhode Island – Jim Thorsen Wins Fight to Clear His Name of Ethical Misconduct Charges on 2023 Philly Trip

Yahoo News – Nancy Lavin (Rhode Island Current) | Published: 4/8/2026

Former Rhode Island Director of Administration Jim Thorsen was cleared of all wrongdoing following an ethics trial tied to an infamous business trip to Philadelphia. The state Ethics Commission decided Thorsen’s failure to immediately pay the $133-a-plate meal at Irwin’s in Philadelphia in March 2023 did not constitute knowing, willful, and deliberate flouting of the state ethics code.

Tennessee – Foreign Adversary Lobbyist Bill Sidelined for Session

Yahoo News – Sam Stockard (Tennessee Lookout) | Published: 4/8/2026

Legislation brought by Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee’s administration requiring lobbyists to register when representing foreign adversaries has been derailed for the year. Sen. Adam Lowe, who carried the Senate version of the bill, said the state is trying to identify the influence of foreign money on Tennessee policy but that the methods for identifying that impact are changing.

Washington – Ferguson’s Failure to Fill Seats on WA Campaign Watchdog Panel Incites Recall Bid

Yahoo News – Jerry Cornfield (Washington State Standard) | Published: 4/7/2026

A recall effort is underway against Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson for failing to fill vacancies on the commission that enforces state campaign finance laws. The petition to remove Ferguson from office accuses him of misfeasance and violating his oath of office by not filling two seats on the Public Disclosure Commission within a timeline prescribed in state law. One has been open for nearly all of Ferguson’s term, which began in January last year.

National/Federal

After a Year of Trump’s Washington, Private Sector Prepares for Some Democratic Power

MSN – Alex Gangitano and Caitlin Oprysko (Politico) | Published: 3/26/2026

The private sector and their army of lobbyists are preparing for Democrats to seize some control away from President Trump next year. Democrats plan to launch into aggressive oversight mode, investigating a slew of Trump’s actions and how the corporate world treated him, from donations to his ballroom project and his inauguration to drug pricing dealmaking.

House Democrat Violated Ethics Rules, Panel Finds, Putting Her Seat in Jeopardy

MSN – Kadia Goba and Marianna Sotomayor (Washington Post) | Published: 3/27/2026

Beleaguered Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick violated House ethics rules, a House ethics committee panel said, citing the findings of a years-long investigation into whether she used covid pandemic money to bolster a run for Congress. The vote follows a rare public hearing Thursday, in which members of the ethics committee queried Cherfilus-McCormick’s lawyer about allegations related to her family’s South Florida health care business. The committee’s investigation outlined 27 potential ethics violations.

Trump Attends Supreme Court Arguments Over His Executive Order, a Presidential First

NPR – Rachel Treisman | Published: 4/1/2026

President Trump became the first sitting president to attend oral arguments at the U.S. Supreme Court when he showed up to watch proceedings in a case challenging one of his executive orders. Barbara v. Trump revolves around an executive order that Trump signed on the first day of his second term, seeking to deny automatic citizenship to babies born in the U.S. to parents who were in the country either illegally or temporarily. It has not gone into effect because multiple lower courts immediately ruled it unconstitutional.

From the States and Municipalities

California – San Jose Mayor Rips Sacramento as Lobbying Audits Nearly Disappear

Hoodline San Jose – Eric Tanaka | Published: 3/30/2026

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan urged state leaders to move auditing California’s influence industry to the top of their to-do list after a media investigation revealed regulators have conducted almost none of the lobbying audits that state law requires. The probe by Bloomberg Government found only five audits of lobbyists or their employers were completed between 2019 and 2025, a tally the outlet said amounts to less than one percent of the checks the Political Reform Act requires.

California – Donations to Gubernatorial Candidate Could Violate California Campaign Rules

MSN – Sophia Bollag (San Francisco Chronicle) | Published: 3/31/2026

Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco received maximum donations from two closely linked companies that have been run by the same siblings, which could violate California’s campaign finance law. Bianco, who is seeking to replace Gavin Newsom as governor, received $78,400 donations from M&D Development and Downs Energy, the maximum amount allowed for an individual donor. Contributions from companies that are controlled by the same person or people should be aggregated, or treated as contributions from the same donor, according to the Fair Political Practices Commission.

Colorado – Federal Judge Upholds Constitutionality of Colorado Campaign Contribution Limits

Colorado Politics – Michael Karlik | Published: 3/27/2026

A federal judge upheld Colorado’s individual campaign contribution limits as constitutional, finding three Republican plaintiffs failed to prove the framework violates their First Amendment rights. U.S. District Court Senior Judge John Kane wrote Colorado voters legitimately enacted the limits to guard against “quid pro quo” corruption, and they do not prevent political challengers from mounting successful campaigns.

Connecticut – Connecticut Election Officials Say Some Lobbyists Can Donate Despite Foreign Contribution Ban

MSN – Paul Hughes (CT Insider) | Published: 4/1/2026

The State Elections Enforcement Commission ruled in-house lobbyists working for foreign-owned businesses can make personal contributions of their own volition to political campaigns in Connecticut. The commission said a 2024 state law that prohibits foreign nationals from donating or making expenditures generally does not apply to these paid lobbyists.

Louisiana – Louisiana Lawmakers Could Have More Foreign Trips Covered by Outside Groups

Yahoo News – Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) | Published: 3/26/2026

Louisiana lawmakers would be able to accept a wider range of international travel paid for by outside groups without having to disclose those trips publicly under new legislation. House Bill 260 would allow nonprofits, political organizations, foreign governments, and others to pay for more international trips for state lawmakers.

New York – 4 Charged in Corruption Investigation Linked to NYC Homeless Shelter Operator

MSN – Jake Offenhartz and Michael Sisak (Associated Press) | Published: 3/31/2026

Four people connected to a company hired by New York City to operate homeless shelters were arrested as part of a federal public corruption investigation that is also examining a city council member and a top aide to Gov. Kathy Hochul. Two leaders of BHRAGS Home Care are accused of stealing more than $1.3 million from the organization, and two subcontractors who the indictment says paid bribes and kickbacks to the men in exchange for contracts. Investigators are also probing whether Councilperson Farah Louis and her sister Debbie Louis, an aide to Hochul, accepted bribes related to the appropriation of city funds to the nonprofit.

Ohio – Jury Deadlocked in FirstEnergy Bribery Trial as Yost Vows to Retry Case

MSN – Adam Ferrise (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 3/31/2026

The high-profile bribery trial of two former FirstEnergy executives ended with a hung jury. On the ninth day of deliberations, jurors said they were unable to reach a unanimous verdict in the trial of former FirstEnergy Chief Executive Officer Chuck Jones and ex-top lobbyist Michael Dowling on charges that accused them of bribing a state regulator who helped draft scandal-marred House Bill 6 in Ohio. Summit County Common Pleas Judge Susan Baker Ross stopped short of declaring a mistrial, saying she would make a ruling at a later date.

The Connecticut State Elections Enforcement Commission decided lobbyists who represent domestic subsidies of foreign principals can make contributions despite the ban on contributions from foreign nationals in Connecticut elections. These lobbyists can make personal contributions if they are using their own funds and their lobbying and political activities are not directed or controlled by a foreign parent company.

National/Federal

Super PAC Spending Passes $200M, with Some Groups Hiding Their Cause

MSN – Clara Ence Morse and Dan Merica (Washington Post) | Published: 3/21/2026

The political arm of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee funneled over $5 million to other groups as part of its work to defeat Illinois Democrats critical of Israel in recent U.S. House primaries. The secretive giving is the latest example of how outside groups are obscuring their spending in competitive campaigns. Special interest groups have sometimes tried to veil their spending by using affiliated organizations that appear unrelated to the parent organization’s stated policy goals.

Rubio Testifies Against Friend Accused of Secretly Working for Maduro

MSN – Teo Arnus (Washington Post) | Published: 3/24/2026

Marco Rubio and David Rivera charted a rise in Miami’s famously scrappy politics together. They befriended each other as campaign volunteers in the 1990s and climbed the ranks of local politics side-by-side. As young state legislators they bought a house together near Tallahassee, where they orchestrated Rubio’s rise to Florida House speaker and then launched winning bids to Congress. But the two long-time friends faced each other recently in a different setting: a federal courtroom. Rubio, now the secretary of state, testified as a witness against Rivera, who is accused of serving as an unregistered foreign agent for Venezuela’s socialist government.

The Well-Timed Trades Made Moments Before Trump’s Policy Surprises

MSN – Alexander Osipovich and Jack Pitcher (Wall Street Journal) | Published: 3/25/2026

President Trump has moved markets with sudden shifts in policy, from tariff U-turns to military strikes. On several occasions, unusual trades hit the tape ahead of his announcements. Most recently, there was a mysterious flurry of trading activity in oil and S&P 500 futures about 15 minutes before Trump de-escalated tensions with Iran with a post on Truth Social, which sent oil prices tumbling and stocks rallying.

From the States and Municipalities

Canada – Doug Ford’s Records-Secrecy Plan Would Hide Top Lawmakers’ Meetings with Lobbyists

Toronto Today – Charlie Pinkerton (The Trillium) | Published: 3/25/2026

Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s plan to eliminate the public’s ability to access certain records of the province’s top lawmakers would eliminate the main way to know which lobbyists they met with, and when. The Ford government is planning to introduce legislation to amend the law shaping Ontario’s freedom of information system to end the public’s ability to request the records of the premier, cabinet ministers, parliamentary assistants, and their offices.

California – Pebble Beach Golf, Maui Resorts, European Tours: How special interests woo California lawmakers

MSN – Yue Stella Yu and Jeremia Kimelman (CalMatters) | Published: 3/20/2026

State lawmakers in California took dozens of free trips last year, most sponsored and attended by special interest groups with business before the Legislature. Nearly 120 organizations – including nonprofits, corporations, foreign governments, state agencies, tribes, and campaigns – spent at least $1.2 million on travel for legislators in 2025. The bulk of the tab, $1.1 million, was picked up by nonprofits that are largely allowed to keep their donors secret, leaving the true source of the funding murky.

Florida – Democrat Scores Upset Win in Trump’s Backyard for Florida State House Seat

MSN – Dan Merica (Washington Post) | Published: 3/24/2026

Democrat Emily Gregory won the special election to represent a state House district in Florida that includes President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home, a stunning upset that signals Democratic momentum ahead of the 2026 midterms. Gregory, a first-time candidate and fitness business owner, defeated Jon Maples, a Republican endorsed by Trump and aligned with his policies. Mike Caruso, the Republican who vacated the seat to become Palm Beach County clerk and comptroller, won the district by 19 percentage points in 2024.

Mississippi – Supreme Court Appears Ready to Limit Mail-In Balloting Ahead of Midterms

MSN – Justin Jouvenal (Washington Post) | Published: 3/23/2026

The Supreme Court appeared likely to embrace a conservative challenge to tallying mail-in ballots that arrive after Election Day, a move that could upend election procedures in states across the country as voters prepare to cast ballots in the midterm elections. A majority of justices seemed ready to side with arguments by Republicans and Libertarians who told the court that federal election law preempts Mississippi from counting ballots that arrive up to five days after polls close as long as they are postmarked by Election Day.

New York – Hundreds of Nonprofits Made Illegal Campaign Contributions in New York

Yahoo News – Emilie Munson (Albany Times Union) | Published: 3/22/2026

In the past decade, hundreds of New York nonprofits, which often are formed to provide integral services to underserved communities, have donated to political campaigns despite federal and state laws that prohibit it, an Albany Times Union investigation found. Roughly two-thirds of those institutions have filed detailed tax documents with the Internal Revenue Service in which they claimed under penalty of perjury they were not involved in politics, an assertion that routinely appears to be left unverified by the government.

Ohio – FirstEnergy Bribery Trial Deliberations Are in Day Six. Experts Say That’s Normal

MSN – Adam Ferrise (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 3/26/2026

The jury entered its sixth day of deliberations in the high-profile bribery trial of two former FirstEnergy executives, a timeline that experts say is not unusual for complex cases. The trial began with jury selection on January 27. Testimony lasted six weeks. The jury so far has asked the judge three questions. Former FirstEnergy Chief Executive Chuck Jones and ex-top lobbyist Michael Dowling are accused of bribing state regulator Sam Randazzo with $4.3 million.

Vermont – Bench Press: Judges seeking reappointment turn to lobbyists

Seven Days Vermont – Hannah Bassett | Published: 3/24/2026

Lobbyists are nearly omnipresent at the Vermont Legislature, where they press lawmakers on everything from housing policy to health care. Even judges seeking to keep their seats rely on lobbying, but typically less for persuasion than for explanation, according to people familiar with the process. That distinction is in focus as six Superior Court judges face a retention vote before the full Legislature that will decide whether they can keep their seats on the bench.

National/Federal

AI Money Is Already Influencing the Midterms. And More Is Coming.

MSN – Dan Merica and Clara Ence Morse (Washington Post) | Published: 3/12/2026

Money from artificial intelligence (AI) companies is flooding into the 2026 midterms. AI giants like OpenAI and Anthropic have already collectively contributed over $185 million to contests around the country as tech leaders work to influence how, and how much, AI will be regulated, with Democrats and Republicans preparing for an onslaught of campaign spending that could remake key elections.

What’s in the Voting Bill That Republicans Are Pushing to the Senate Floor

MSN – Mary Clare Jalonick (Associated Press) | Published: 3/17/2026

Legislation that would require proof of U.S. citizenship for new voters has become a rallying cry for President Trump, who claims that passage of the bill will “guarantee the midterms” for his Republican Party in November. The bill would require voters to provide proof of citizenship when they register and to present approved identification when they go to the polls, among other new rules that Trump and his most loyal supporters are pushing as part of an effort to assert more federal control over elections.

From the States and Municipalities

Hawaii – The Most Influential People at the State Capitol Are Out in the Hallway

Honolulu Civil Beat – Chad Blair | Published: 3/6/2026

Lobbying is a word that can carry negative connotations, especially in this age of political corruption. Some lobbyists in Hawaii expressed resentment that their entire profession has been tainted by recent headlines about bad legislators and the people who bought them off. In fact, they argue the key to successfully lobbying is relationships, which are already central in a small island state.

North Carolina – NC Senator Asks for Investigation of Ties Between His Colleague and a Lobbyist

MSN – Dan Kane (Raleigh News & Observer) | Published: 3/18/2026

North Carolina Sen. Terence Everitt wants the State Board of Elections to investigate the nearly $59,000 paid by state Sen. Dave Craven’s campaign to a company owned by the wife of lobbyist Kevin Wilkinson for consulting services. The News & Observer reported that the spending appears to be the only campaign work the business has done. A review of Craven’s campaign reports shows more than 20 percent of the money Craven raised in the last election came from people with ties to Wilkinson’s clients. Some of the campaign donors have been successful in winning favorable law changes or state appropriations.

Ohio – What the Jury Will Be Deciding in the FirstEnergy Corruption Trial

Yahoo News – Morgan Trau (WEWS) | Published: 3/18/2026

The jury has begun deliberating whether two former FirstEnergy executives are guilty of bribery for their role in the largest public corruption scheme in Ohio history. Former FirstEnergy Chief Executive Officer Chuck Jones and ex-lobbyist Mike Dowling are charged with bribing former Public Utilities Commission Chair Sam Randazzo with $4.3 million to get beneficial rulings. The defendants have also been accused of spending $61 million to help create and pass legislation to provide a billion-dollar bailout for the struggling company.

Pennsylvania – Treasurer Garrity Bought Israel Bonds. Candidate Garrity Then Campaigned at the Firm’s Gala.

Spotlight PA – Stephen Caruso | Published: 3/16/2026

Ethics experts are raising concerns after state Treasurer Stacy Garrity campaigned at a gala hosted by a firm from which she purchased millions in bonds in her official state role. Garrity has invested $45 million in taxpayer money into Israel Bonds since the October 7, 2023, attacks in Gaza, a move that overrode earlier concerns within the Treasury Department that the bonds could be a risky investment. In gratitude, the firm behind the bonds invited her, in her capacity as state treasurer alongside an unknown number of other Pennsylvania investors, to a thank-you event.

Rhode Island – From Vegan Cheese to Ethics Scandal: Jim Thorsen says he was lied to in Philly

MSN – Eli Sherman (WPRI) | Published: 3/17/2026

Former Rhode Island Director of Administration Jim Thorsen testified at an administrative trial, defending his conduct during a 2023 trip to Philadelphia that has since become the center of a state ethics scandal. The state Ethics Commission previously found probable cause that Thorsen violated the ethics law. It is now weighing whether Thorsen accepted a free lunch on the trip and failed to intervene as his then-subordinate allegedly solicited vendors for free food and luxury items.

Texas – ‘The Public Should Know’: City Hall changes how lobbying is reported

MSN – Chaya Tong (Austin American-Statesman) | Published: 3/12/2026

The Austin City Council approved changes to the city’s lobbying rules, shifting the reporting of lobbyists’ interactions with city officials away from departments to the lobbyists themselves, a move some council members warn could make it harder for the public to track influence at City Hall. The changes come after the city auditor noted issues with transparency and accessibility in lobbyist compliance and recommended changes to the lobbying rules in September.

West Virginia – West Virginia Voters Will Lose Access to Donor Employer Data Under New Campaign Finance Law

Mountain State Spotlight – Duncan Slade | Published: 3/18/2026

At the beginning of next year, voters will no longer be able to see if groups of people who work for the same company are contributing to a campaign. West Virginia lawmakers passed legislation this year redacting employer information from political donations of more than $250. Democrats said that not having this information would reduce transparency about who is funding politicians and how they might stand to benefit.

Wyoming – Wyomingites Call for Lobbying Investigation in Response to ‘Checkgate’ Controversy

MSN – Jasmine Hall (Jackson Hole News&Guide) | Published: 3/18/2026

At least two Wyoming residents have asked state and law enforcement agencies to investigate whether laws about lobbying and other political activity were broken after check-passing on the floor of the House of Representatives. Stephanie Kessler, a Lander resident, asked the attorney general’s office to investigate whether Bextel was lobbying “on behalf of a corporation without registering as required under Wyoming law.” The law requires anyone who attempts to influence legislation on behalf of a corporation or certain organizations to register as a lobbyist within 48 hours of doing so.

Campaign Finance

West Virginia: “West Virginia Voters Will Lose Access to Donor Employer Data Under New Campaign Finance Law” by Duncan Slade for Mountain State Spotlight

Elections

Illinois: “Stratton Wins Illinois Senate Primary in Victory for Pritzker” by Theodoric Meyer (Washington Post) for MSN

Ethics

Rhode Island: “From Vegan Cheese to Ethics Scandal: Jim Thorsen says he was lied to in Philly” by Eli Sherman (WPRI) for MSN

Lobbying

Wyoming: “Wyomingites Call for Lobbying Investigation in Response to ‘Checkgate’ Controversy” by Jasmine Hall (Jackson Hole News&Guide) for MSN

Before adjourning earlier in March, lawmakers passed bills regulating campaign contributions and reporting. Senate Bill 17, effective immediately, prohibits a candidate or political committee from accepting any contribution or loan from a foreign national. House Bill 1201 amends the rules for bingo games and lotteries conducted by PACs and political committees. Senate Bill 142, awaiting the governor’s approval, revises political committee reporting to require an annual year-end statement in both odd and even numbered years. Lawmakers will reconvene for Veto Day on March 30.

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Invite them out for coffee or a steak? Make sure you know the gift restrictions of your state or municipality. Request a demo of our online guidebooks today.

The campaign contribution limits for city elections have been adjusted. The amount that may be contributed to mayoral candidates increased from $3,980 to $4,200 per election cycle. The amount for City Council candidates increased from $850 to $900 per election cycle.

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Campaign Finance

Hawaii: “Should Tax Dollars Be Used for Campaigns? These Election Reform Bills Are Still Alive” by Ashley Mizuo for Hawai’i Public Radio

Elections

National: “What’s in the Voting Bill That Republicans Are Pushing to the Senate Floor” by Mary Clare Jalonick (Associated Press) for MSN

Ethics

Ohio: “‘No Smoking Gun’: Defense slams prosecution in FirstEnergy bribery trial” by Adam Ferrise (Cleveland Plain Dealer) for MSN

Pennsylvania: “Treasurer Garrity Bought Israel Bonds. Candidate Garrity Then Campaigned at the Firm’s Gala.” by Stephen Caruso for Spotlight PA