Ask the Experts Archives - Page 3 of 8 - State and Federal Communications

Q. I’m an in-house lobbyist planning to meet with California legislators to influence state government action. If I go to the meeting accompanied by a registered lobbyist, isn’t my time at the meeting exempt from counting toward the lobbyist registration […]

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Q: I have been out of the office on an extended vacation.  I just noticed a reminder e-mail that I have a lobbying report due today that cannot be filed electronically.  What are my options? A: You still have the ability to […]

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Q. We file our federal LD-2 quarterly lobbying reports under the IRC definitions.  Does the IRC 5 percent de minimus rule apply to capturing reportable expenditures on our quarterly LD-2 disclosure? A. In short, yes, but with a caveat.  If your […]

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Q.  Can a PAC from one state make contributions to candidates and ballot measures in a different state? A.  Yes, an out-of-state PAC may make contributions in a different state, but it must be aware of the state laws governing […]

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Q. Can I use my company’s federal PAC to make contributions to candidates for state office? A. With the exception of Massachusetts, contributions from a federal PAC to non-federal state candidates are permissible.  However, the challenging aspect of making these […]

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Q: Our company is a registered lobbyist employer in many states, and we regularly do business with universities. Can my company give gifts to university officials and employees? A: Gifts to university officials and employees fall under the purview of […]

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September 2, 2016  •  

Ask the Experts!

Q. My company has registered lobbyists and is a member of local and regional associations in numerous states. Are there any unique disclosure requirements due to these circumstances? A. You should always consider a couple of different aspects of reporting with […]

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Q. Our company is active and registered as a lobbyist employer in several states. What are best practices for record-keeping? What will we need to access and keep in the event of a state audit? A. Each state takes a […]

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Q. When I talk to state officials, I’m always with my registered contract lobbyists. That means I’m exempt from registering, correct? A. The kind of exemption you are referring to is commonly called an umbrella exception. In most instances, being […]

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Q. My employer is a wholly owned subsidiary of a parent corporation.  Does a parent corporation, a subsidiary, or other affiliated entity have its own contribution limit or must the contributions be aggregated and have a shared limit? A. This […]

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Q. For a number of years, our association has hired outside lobbying firms to lobby on our behalf. I was under the impression that because they registered and reported their lobbying activities for us, we didn’t need to register. Based […]

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Q. I want to contribute to an acquaintance in Maryland.  I know there are pay-to-play restrictions.  What are my personal limitations? A. Is your company “doing public business” with the state of Maryland?  “Doing public business” means having a single […]

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Q. What are the key components for a successful government affairs compliance program? A. We collaborate closely with our clients to create comprehensive and effective compliance programs. During this process, our clients often request guidance on best internal practices and […]

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Q. Are there any rules that pertain to making contributions in the weeks leading up to an election? A. With local elections in 2015 and the upcoming 2016 elections, it is wise to know what the rules are when making […]

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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.

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