The day before scheduled adjournment, New Brunswick’s Legislative Assembly approved the Lobbyists’ Registration Act, establishing a lobbyist registry for the province.

The Act establishes a registrar of lobbyists and outlines requirements for registration by consultant and in-house lobbyists.

The province attempted to create a registry a number of times over the last several years, but failed because of financial concerns and technical complications.

Commissioner of Lobbying Karen Shepherd intends to revise the Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct following a period of public consultation launched in September 2013.

The consultation offered participants the chance to submit suggestions for improvement by writing and by roundtable discussion. Suggestions included deregulation of lobbyist-client interactions and more clarity in the gift law.

Shepherd has produced a report on the consultation available here.

The Government Accountability Board (GAB) voted to allow lobbyists to pass along donations from political action committees and clients to state lawmakers at any point during the year.

GAB previously concluded recently signed Senate Bill 655 removed the ability of lobbyists to deliver anyone else’s contribution at any time.

The change in interpretation was supported by Republican legislative leaders, lobbyists, and attorneys for the Legislature.

Lobbying

“Former Rep. Billy Tauzin joins son’s lobby firm” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.

Canada: “Lobbyist watchdog to revise conduct code this summer” by Kady O’Malley on CBC News.

Campaign Finance

“Campaign Finance Reports Put Voters on Notice” by The Associated Press on ABC News.

“The new campaign contribution: I’ll get my employees to vote for you” by Philip Bump in The Washington Post.

“State campaign finance laws are on borrowed time” opinion piece by George F. Will in The Washington Post.

Michigan: “Ex-Meijer attorney cleared of wrongdoing in Northern Michigan campaign finance scandal” by Shandra Martinez in Michigan Live.

Ethics

Georgia: “Kalberman ethics case to cost state over $1 million” by Aaron Gould Sheinin in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Hawaii: “State Task Force Members Must Disclose Financial Ties Under Ethics Ruling” by Nathan Eagle in the Honolulu Civil Beat.

South Carolina: “SC House’s latest version of ethics reform creates super commission to investigate allegations” by Andrew Coffman Smith (Associated Press) in The Republic.

State Legislatures

Arizona: “Brewer expected to call special legislative session on CPS today” by Howard Fischer in the Arizona Daily Star.

Minnesota: “Sen. Gazelka comments on end of 2014 Legislative Session” in the Pilot-Independent.

Montana: “Special legislative session for Medicaid expansion, other issues?” by Mike Dennison in the Billings Gazette.

Redistricting

Florida: “In redistricting first, House speaker testifies in court to defend map” by Mary Ellen Klas in the Miami Herald.

Illinois: “Illinois redistricting group lacks signatures” by Chacour Koop (Associated Press) in the Northwest Herald.

Virginia: “Va. redistricting trial begins in federal court” by The Associated Press in the Washington Times.

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin signed three ethics bills into law on Monday, May 19. The new laws coincide with proposed Ethics Commission Rules affecting the regulation of lobbyists and campaign finance.

The Rules, promulgated by the Ethics Commission in January, were submitted to the governor and both houses of the legislature on February 4, 2014. If the legislature does not reject them in their entirety prior to adjournment sine die, the Rules will become effective at staggered intervals between December 1, 2014 and February 1, 2015.

The three bills recently signed into law will become effective January 1, 2015 to facilitate the change in ethics rules. Senate Bill 1744 modifies campaign finance definitions, removes statutory contribution limits, and instead, references the limits established by the state Ethics Commission. The measure also prohibits contributions from corporations, labor unions, LLCs, and partnerships except as allowed by law or in the Ethics Commission Rules.

Senate Bill 1745 gives the Ethics Commission jurisdiction over municipal races and establishes enforcement mechanisms to coincide with local campaign finance laws.

Lastly, Senate Bill 1746 deletes statutory lobbyist registration and reporting requirements and, instead, references Ethics Commission Rules. The newly signed legislation moves the state one step closer to much needed ethics reform.

Lobbying

“Telecom merger mania hits K Street” by Anna Palmer in Politico.

Illinois: “Quinn wants limits on lobbying by former aides” by Kurt Erickson in the Pantagraph.

Kentucky: “More than $8.25 mil spent lobbying in Frankfort” by Tim Loftus in The Courier-Journal.

Wisconsin: “State panel to decide rules for some lobbyist donations” by Patrick Marley in the Journal Sentinel.

Campaign Finance

“Campaign Bitcoins Proliferate, but FEC Rules Unclear” by Eliza Newlin Carney in Roll Call.

“The new campaign contribution: I’ll get my employees to vote for you” by Philip Bump in The Washington Post.

California: “California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom Among First Politicians Opening Coffers to Bitcoin” by Joe Garolfoli in Government Technology.

Oklahoma: “Electoral dysfunction” by Ben Felder in the Oklahoma Gazette.

Ethics

Virginia: “Bob McDonnell, wife to be tried together” by The Associated Press in Politico.

Elections

“Payback time: GOP incumbents learn how to win” by Alexander Burns in Politico.

“GOP Sees Primaries Taming the Tea Party” by Janet Hook and Patrick O’Connor in The Wall Street Journal.

Arkansas: “Ross, Hutchinson win primaries” by Andrew DeMillo (Associated Press) in The Baxter Bulletin.

Georgia: “Georgia Senate runoff: Nasty, brutish — and long” by Manu Raju in Politico.

Idaho: “Idaho Gov. Otter holding off challengers” by Betsy Z. Russell in The Spokesman-Review.

Pennsylvania: “Wolf leaves the pack behind” by Chris Brennan in the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Pennsylvania: “Philly Politicians Must Keep Resigning to Run for Office” by Claudia Vargas in Governing.

State Legislatures

Connecticut: “The Chocolate Milk Ban And Other Legislative Goofs” by Gregory B. Hladky in The Courant.

Lobbying

“Lobbying World” in The Hill.

“Lobbyists scoff at Wyden’s tax threat” by Bernie Becker in The Hill.

Illinois: “Watchdog wants stricter Cook County lobbying rules” by Hal Dardick in the Chicago Tribune.

EU: “Brussels defends track record on lobbying transparency” in EurActiv.

Tennessee: “Lobbyists spend record amount in TN” by The Associated Press in the Southern Standard.

Campaign Finance

“Report: Campaign cash increased before tax reform draft” by Bernie Becker in The Hill.

California: “Bill would require payments to state from candidates, lawmakers who misuse campaign donations” by The Associated Press in The Republic.

New York: “D’Souza Pleads Guilty to Campaign Finance Violation” by Benjamin Weiser in The New York Times.

Ohio: “Ben Suarez orchestrated illegal campaign scheme, per company CFO Michael Giorgio’s plea agreement” by James F. McCarty in The Plain Dealer.

Oklahoma: “Fallin signs bills into law targeting Oklahoma’s campaign finance laws” by The Associated Press in The Republic.

Ethics

“Indicted Rep. Michael Grimm Appears in New York Court” by Emma Dumain in Roll Call.

California: “California Senate approves ban on many gifts to officials” by Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times.

Lobbying

“Report: Health lobbying down in first quarter” by Elise Viebeck in The Hill.

“President Obama golfed with Bain Capital lobbyist” by Byron Tau in Politico.

“Patton Boggs future up for a vote” by Tucker Echols in the Washington Business Journal.

Hawaii: “Will Lawmakers Ever Do Anything About Lobbyists?” by Patti Epler in the Honolulu Civil Beat.

Illinois: “Ex-Quinn chief of staff turns to lobbying” by The Associated Press in the Chicago Sun-Times.

New Hampshire: “Secretary of state candidate de Ramel proposes changes for lobbyists” by Randal Edgar in the Providence Journal.

Oregon: “Oregon’s House clerk out after PERS lobbying flap” in the Portland Business Journal.

Oregon: “Portland Business Alliance violates city lobbying rules by not reporting meeting, correspondence” by Brad Schmidt in The Oregonian.

Tennessee: “Lobbyists spent record amount of $650K last year, could spend more this year” by The Associated Press in The Republic.

Campaign Finance

“Here’s how to put everyday citizens in charge of financing campaigns” by U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes in The Washington Post.

“Rethinking Campaign Finance” op-ed by Joe Nocera in The New York Times.

“There’s a Better Way to Measure Who Has Raised the Most Money” by Derek Willis in The New York Times.

“Campaign-Finance Measure May Come to Vote in U.S. Senate” by Kathleen Hunter in Bloomberg.

“Hearing set for proposed campaign finance change” in the Burlington Free Press.

“Newest Member of Congress Joins Washington Money Circuit, Starts PAC” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.

Oklahoma: “Lawyers dominate judicial campaign funding” by Curtis Killman in Tulsa World.

Wisconsin: “Confusion Reigns on Campaign-Finance Law” by Steven Walters in Urban Milwaukee.

Ethics

“Senate Enters Electronic Age With Personal Wealth Disclosures” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.

Illinois: “5th anniversary of anti-corruption campaign no celebration” by Andy Shaw in the Chicago Sun-Times.

Louisiana: “State law forbidding disclosure of ethics complaints ruled invalid” by Robert Rhoden in The Times-Picayune.

West Virginia: “W.Va. Ethics Commission sets training session” by The Associated Press on WOWK TV News.

Redistricting

Florida: “Courtroom clash pits Democrats, Republicans in epic redistricting battle” by Mary Ellen Klas in the Miami Herald.

Government Tech and Social Media

“Social government makes inroads with citizens” by Jake Williams in Fedscoop.

“Agencies Often Don’t Answer Questions They Get Via Social Media, Survey Finds” by Rebecca Carroll in Nextgov.

In late 2013, the New York City Council passed Local Law 129 of 2013, making many changes to current lobbying law in the city and surrounding boroughs. Many of the new law’s provisions are effective today, May 16, 2014.

The definition of lobbying is revised to include attempts to influence legislation not yet introduced, legislation at the state and federal level, and mayoral executive vetoes. It is also revised to include attempts to influence the agenda or calendaring of a meeting of a board or commission. The revised definition excludes architects and engineers as lobbyists under certain parameters, and the law now imposes a $10,000 registration threshold for such individuals should they undertake lobbying activities. The registration threshold for all other lobbyists is $5,000.

Local Law 129 of 2013 requires more detailed disclosure on the statement of registration and on periodic reports. The new law further establishes a first-of-its-kind amnesty program, allowing noncomplying lobbyists to enroll in the program and be exonerated of late filing fees and applicable civil and criminal penalties dating back to December 10, 2006.

Provisions taking effect in the future include a mandatory lobbyist training program and the practice of the city clerk reviewing sources of information such as state lobbyist filings and the Doing Business Database to identify lobbyists required to register who have not done so.

Photo of the New York City Hall courtesy of Momos on Wikimedia Commons.

National:

GOP Civil War Rages in Senate Primary Battles

The Center for Public Integrity – Dave Levinthal | Published: 5/8/2014

Hard-line conservative groups have together spent nearly three dollars attacking Republican candidates for every one dollar spent criticizing Democrats, according to a Center for Public Integrity analysis. The dichotomy illustrates the family feud between mainstream Republicans and their tea party-affiliated cousins, many of whom have forced GOP incumbents into expensive primary fights because they believe the candidates are not conservative enough.

Koch Brothers’ Americans for Prosperity Plans $125 Million Spending Spree

Politico – Byron Tau | Published: 5/9/2014

Americans for Prosperity expects to spend more than $125 million this year in support of conservative candidates. The plans, combined with those of other groups in the political operation affiliated with the billionaire industrialists Charles and David Koch, more closely resemble the traditional functions of a national political party than a network of private nonprofit groups. The goal of the network is a long-term movement to expand the political playing field for conservatives, both into new states and into non-traditional demographics.

From the States and Municipalities:

Arizona – Tom Horne Campaign Finance Case to Move Forward

Arizona Capitol Times – Jeremy Duda | Published: 5/14/2014

Yavapai County Attorney Sheila Polk rejected an administrative judge’s conclusion that there is not enough evidence to show Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne and Kathleen Winn, who ran an independent expenditure committee during the 2010 election, illegally coordinated their activities. Polk’s office maintains that records show the two illegally collaborated on ads attacking Horne’s Democratic opponent. Polk has ordered Horne to return about $400,000 to donors and amend his campaign finance reports to properly reflect the contributions.

California – Capitol Alert: California Senate passes bill banning fundraisers at lobbyist homes

San Luis Obispo Tribune – Laurel Rosenhall (Sacramento Bee) | Published: 5/12/2014

The California Senate passed a bill that would ban lobbyists from holding campaign fundraisers at their homes for candidates and elected officials. Senate Bill 1441 now moves to the Assembly. A prominent Sacramento lobbyist and nearly 40 politicians got in trouble earlier this year with the Fair Political Practices Commission for home-based fundraising events that exceeded a $500 limit.

California – Gov. Brown Signs Bill to Shed Light on Political ‘Dark Money’

Los Angeles Times – Patrick McGreevy | Published: 5/14/2014

Nonprofit organizations that make political contributions in California will have to disclose more information about the source of their money under a bill signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown. Senate Bill 27 requires nonprofits to disclose the names of donors who give them $1,000 or more to spend on political activity, if the group makes contributions of more than $50,000 in a year, or $100,000 over four years. The disclosure requirement takes effect for donations made after July 1 of this year.

Florida – Lobbyists at Water Districts Must Register and Disclose under New Ethics Bill

Miami Herald – Dan Christensen | Published: 5/10/2014

Lobbyists hired to influence spending and policy at Florida’s five water management districts must register and disclose their clients under ethics reforms passed by the state Legislature. If signed into law by Gov. Rick Scott, the bill would for the first time apply state lobbying regulations to some special-purpose governments that raise and spend hundreds of millions dollars every year.

Missouri – Flood Flowing, Ethics Bills Dying as Missouri Legislature Nears Adjournment

St. Louis Post-Dispatch – Virginia Young | Published: 5/14/2014

Missouri lawmakers are feted with free food in the Rotunda, hearing rooms, and area restaurants. Big-ticket items outside the Capitol, such as expensive dinners, sporting event tickets, and out-of-state travel, helped push the total value of the gifts to nearly a million dollars’ worth in 2013, according to state Ethics Commission records. That Is unlikely to change as legislators have stymied bills that would ban or limit the gifts they receive.

New York – Inside Moreland: Documents reveal details of lawmakers’ spending

City & State – John Lentz, Matthew Hamilton, and Morgan Pehme | Published: 5/11/2014

To date, there has been considerable speculation about what exactly the recently disbanded Moreland Commission on Public Corruption investigated during the months it was in operation, but few specifics have been disclosed to the public. Now, commission documents show its investigators sought to determine if New York lawmakers were spending the contributions they received for legitimate campaign-oriented purposes, or whether any money was going to their personal use, in violation of state law.

Ohio – McGinty, DeWine Accuse Youngstown Mayor, Mahoning County Official of Racketeering

Cleveland Plain Dealer – John Caniglia | Published: 5/14/2014

Youngstown Mayor John McNally and Mahoning County Auditor Michael Sciortino were indicted on corruption charges including bribery, conspiracy, and tampering with records. The indictment outlines a series of illegal activities related to a plan to move the offices of the county Department of Job and Family Services. McNally and Sciortino were indicted four years ago on related charges, but the case was dismissed. A judge said then that the charges could be refiled. Prosecutors said at the time their inability to obtain tape recordings held by the FBI and provide them to defense lawyers made it impossible to proceed with the case.

Oklahoma – Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association to Pay $1,200 Fine

The Oklahoman – Nolan Clay | Published: 5/9/2014

The Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association agreed to stop providing free football and basketball playoff tickets to state legislators, and will pay $1,200 in civil penalties for not disclosing the gifts to the state Ethics Commission for the last three years. The association was required to disclose the gifts once it started using lobbyists. It continues to blame two former lobbyists for the disclosure failure.

Pennsylvania – Candidates’ Parents’ Mutual Donations

Philadelphia Inquirer – Jonathan Tamari | Published: 5/13/2014

During Kevin Strouse’s bid for congressional seat from Pennsylvania, his parents, who had never before donated to federal candidates beyond the commonwealth, sent money to Democrats in tight congressional races in California, Colorado, Florida, and Illinois. Days before or after, those candidates’ parents sent nearly identical contributions, usually for the maximum allowed, to Strouse’s campaign. The donations appear legal, campaign finance experts say, though some said any agreement among the parents to trade donations could be viewed as an attempted end run around contribution limits.

South Carolina – Judge to AG Wilson: Stop SLED and grand jury probe of House Speaker Harrell

The State – John Monk | Published: 5/12/2014

A judge dismissed allegations of corruption against South Carolina House Speaker Bobby Harrell, ruling such a case must first be considered by a legislative panel before state prosecutors could touch it, and saying a grand jury was improperly empaneled. The grand jury had been considering whether Harrell should be indicted on allegations he used campaign funds for personal use. Critics and lawyers following the case said it was a rare, if unprecedented step for a judge to halt a grand jury investigation.

Vermont – AG Clarifies 2014 Campaign Contribution Limits

Burlington Free Press – Nancy Remsen | Published: 5/14/2014

Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell said the state’s campaign contribution limits will remain the same through the end of the year. The secretary of state’s office asked for the formal opinion after the Legislature passed an updated campaign finance law. The law had an error making it appear there was a gap between the date the old limits expire and January 1 when the new caps take effect.

Wisconsin – Federal Appeals Court Tells Wisconsin Regulators That Campaign Finance Laws Went Too Far

Minneapolis Star Tribune – M.L. Johnson (Associated Press) | Published: 5/14/2014

The Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals struck down major provisions of Wisconsin’s campaign finance law as unconstitutional. The ruling said state elections officials had overstepped their bounds by prohibiting spending by corporations, setting limits on how much they could raise for affiliated political committees, and establishing burdensome rules for groups that merely mentioned candidates’ names in ads.

Wisconsin – Mistake May Bar Lobbyists from Helping with Fundraising

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – Patrick Marley | Published: 5/8/2014

State election officials said Wisconsin lawmakers may have inadvertently toughened campaign finance rules by barring lobbyists from passing on campaign donations from their clients. Others disagree with that interpretation. The Government Accountability Board will take up the issue on May 21, but the matter may ultimately be decided by the courts.

State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.

News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.

Lobbying

“Which foreign countries spent the most to influence U.S. politics?” by Colby Itkowitz in The Washington Post.

“Patton Boggs lobbyist jumps to Akin Gump” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.

“Drone lobby takes flight on K Street” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.

Illinois: “U of I lobbying day at Capitol today” by The Associated Press in The State Journal-Register.

North Carolina: “NC lawmakers indulge in pre-session ritual: the fundraiser” by Jim Morrill in the Charlotte Observer.

Campaign Finance

“Federal court rulings prompt wave of states hiking campaign contribution limits” by Luke Wachob in the Washington Examiner.

“Five Joint Fundraising Committees Register at FEC” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.

California: “Yaroslavsky proposes reforms in county campaign finance system” by Abby Sewell in the Los Angeles Times.

Connecticut: “Campaign Reforms At Stake In Legal Fight” by Edmund H. Mahoney in The Courant.

Delaware: “Illegal Campaign Contributions Could Go To Charity” by Don Rush (Associated Press) on Delmarva Public Radio.

Montana: “Campaign finance rulings split U.S. House candidates” in the Billings Gazette.

Oregon: “Super PACs spend big in Oregon GOP Senate primary” by Jonathan J. Cooper (Associated Press) on KATU.org.

Vermont: “Vermont Attorney General rules campaign limits remain the same for 2014 election cycle” by The Associated Press in the Daily Reporter.

Ethics

Arizona: “Ex-staffer accuses Horne of doing campaign work at the office” by Howard Fischer in the Verde Independent.

Pennsylvania: “PA lawmakers want independent corruption-fighting agency” by Andrew Staub in Watchdog.org.

Government Tech and Social Media

“How to Make Analytics Work for Your Government” by Jason Shueh in Government Technology.

Lobbying

“Lobbying on data, cybersecurity has tripled” by Catherine Ho in The Washington Post.

“Bitcoin community upset over political lobbying in Washington” by Andrew Moran in Personal Finance.

Massachusetts: “For Massachusetts lawmakers, steady lobbying money” by The Associated Press in the Boston Herald.

Massachusetts: “DeLeo: Lobbyist donations have no effect on votes” by The Associated Press in the Connecticut Post.

New York: “Lobbying loophole obscures local casino spending” by Laura Nahmias in Capital New York.

Campaign Finance

“‘Fixing’ campaign finance is only making it worse” by Seth Masket in The Washington Post.

Mississippi: “Bank Gives $230K Unsecured Loan to Super PAC” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.

New Hampshire: “Changes to campaign finance laws could have big effect in N.H. races” by Kathleen Ronayne in the Concord Monitor.

New York: “NYS Public campaign finance showing signs of life” by Karen DeWitt on North Country Public Radio.

Washington: “Initiative targets big money in politics” by Jim Brunner in The Seattle Times.

Ethics

Florida: “Conference offers crash course on Florida politics” by Anthony Man in the Sun Sentinel.

The Government Accountability Board (GAB) has concluded a recently signed law allowing lobbyists to personally give campaign contributions a couple of months earlier also prohibits them from providing such contributions on behalf of clients at any time.

Whether by design or by drafting error, a late amendment to Senate Bill 655 removed the provision to allow a lobbyist to deliver a client’s contribution at any time.

GAB will review the matter at its meeting on May 21, 2014. The Legislature would have to reconvene to fix a drafting error.

Colorado state legislators recently passed a bill aimed at increasing lobbying transparency. Senate Bill 14-217 passed the House by unanimous vote on May 7, demonstrating bipartisan support for changes in lobbyist disclosure requirements.

The bill requires lobbyist subcontractors receiving business from a professional lobbyist to report subcontracting business on their annual disclosure statements though such information is contemporaneously reported on the professional lobbyists’ disclosure statements.

Another legislative provision requires lobbyists to update their registration statements within 24 hours of lobbying for a new client or subcontracting for another lobbyist. Per its design, SB 217 effectively closes a lobbying loophole by allowing the public to connect the lobbyists who subcontract for lobbying firms to the clients hiring such firms.

If signed by Gov. Hickenlooper, the bill will become effective July 1, 2015.