The first rule details when non-lobbyist employees must register as a lobbyist. In North Carolina, an employee must register as a lobbyist if a significant part of that employee’s job duties include lobbying. The new rules stipulate that this threshold is met if at least five percent of an employee’s duties include direct or goodwill lobbying during any rolling 30 day period. Once this threshold is met, the employee must register as a lobbyist within one business day.

The second rule explains what must be included when providing a description of a reportable expenditure for the lobbyist reports. The description must identify what was given, who the third party was that received the expenditure, and the name of the event or meeting where the expenditure was given.

The third rule describes how to determine the immediate family member who is connected with a reportable expenditure. On the reports, the name of the designated individual or immediate family member connected with the expenditure must be reported. The person that must be identified is the person who either received or benefited from the expenditure, or who requested the expenditure be made on someone’s behalf.

The fourth and final rule effecting lobbying details what must be reported in connection with a lobbying event. The entire cost of a lobbying event must be reported, rather than just the costs of any gifts given. Examples of the non-gift expenditures that must be reported include supplies, facility rental, food, name badges, flowers and other decorations, planning services, and all other expenses and charges incurred in connection with the lobbying event.

The North Carolina General Assembly will have a one-day special session January 9, 2013, before convening the regular session on January 30, 2013. This one-day special session is for both houses to elect officers, adopt rules and organize the upcoming session.

This is the first time the general assembly has decided to hold this one-day special organization session, but both parties have expressed interest in continuing the idea in the future.

Photo of the North Carolina State Legislative Building by Jayron32 on Wikipedia.

DELAWARE: The Delaware General Assembly adjourned sine die early in the morning on July 1, 2012.

NORTH CAROLINA: The North Carolina General Assembly adjourned on July 3, 2012.

“Lobbyist asks lawmakers to re-tweet anti-piracy study” by Brendan Sasso in The Hill.

North Carolina: “Legislators, lobbyists mix business with pleasure” by Mandy Locke in the News Observer.

South Carolina: “S.C.’s ‘wink, wink’ policies” in the Anderson Independent Mail.

South Carolina: “CEOs, lobbyists eyed as S.C. legislative panel probing Gov. Haley ethics charges prepares witness list” by Gina Smith in the Sacramento Bee.

North Carolina citizens voted in the 2012 primary last night, but some races did not yield a true winner. According to state law, if no candidate receives 40% of the vote in a primary, a second primary (or runoff) election is needed.

Over 10 races, including republican races for Lieutenant Governor and three U.S. House seats, will be headed to a runoff election.

Thanks to a new law passed by the North Carolina General Assembly last year, the primary will be held 10 weeks following the first primary, rather than the usual seven weeks. The new law took effect, because at least one of the races headed to a runoff was a U.S. Congress seat.

The runoff election will take place on July 17, 2012.

Alaska:  “High court to hear redistricting petition” by The Associated Press in The Anchorage Daily News.

Kansas: “GOP redistricting fight could mean courts make final decision” by John Hanna (Associated Press) in the Lawrence Journal World.

North Carolina: “Redistricting sets stage for fall elections” by Emery Dalesio (Associated Press) in the Winston-Salem Journal.

Washington:  “Supreme Court upholds state redistricting plan” by Warren Kagarise in the Issaquah Press.

The North Carolina General Assembly convened as scheduled for a special session on April 23, 2012.

Both the Senate and the House will meet again on April 25, at which time they are expected to adjourn until the scheduled regular legislative session begins on May 16, 2012.

Photo of North Carolina State Legislative Building by Jayron32 on Wikipedia.

North Carolina: “John Edwards gambles on NC jury to avoid prison” by Michael Beisecker (Associated Press) in the Seattle Post Intelligencer.

North Carolina: “Edwards campaign repays taxpayers $2.1 million” by Michael Beisecker (Associated Press) in Bloomberg Businessweek.

South Carolina: “State Ethics Commission probing SC Gov Haley campaign finances, sets July hearing” by Meg Kinnard (Associated Press) in The Republic.

Texas: “Texas Ethics Commission report disappoints some good government activists” by Mark Lisheron on TexasWatchdog.org.

Arizona: “Ariz. lawmakers want elected officials to disclose use of public funds” by Howard Fischer in the East Valley Tribune.

Georgia: “Advocates push for ethics funding” by Charles Edwards on WABE News.

“Watchdog groups demand more money for ethics board” by in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Maryland: “Maryland Ethics Panel Suggests Reducing Local Disclosure” by Brian Witte (Associated Press) on NBC Washington.

“Bill would require online disclosure” by Michael Dresser in the Baltimore Sun.

Minnesota: “Lobbying violations vex understaffed Minnesota regulator” by Brad Schrade in the Star Tribune.

North Carolina: “Dome: Few ethics complaints probed, report shows” by John Frank in The News & Observer.

NORTH CAROLINA: Wake County Superior Court Judge Paul Ridgeway has cleared former lobbyist Don Beason of misconduct, finding parts of North Carolina’s lobbying reform law are ambiguous as applied and the secretary of state overreached in fining Beason.

The court held that Beason does not have to pay the $30,000 fine imposed on him. Secretary of State Elaine Marshall fined Beason a record-setting $111,000 in 2010, an amount that was later reduced, for failing to make required disclosures about companies he was representing.

Judge Ridgeway stated North Carolina law defines a lobbyist as someone who communicates directly with legislators or their employees, but there was no evidence Beason directly contacted anyone on behalf of the companies he represented. Additionally, because the law gave the state ethics commission the authority to interpret the act and the secretary of state the power to administer it, Marshall overstepped her authority in interpreting the act and fining Beason.

NORTH CAROLINA:  A special session of the North Carolina General Assembly convened Sunday evening.

The session is scheduled to adjourn on Tuesday, November 29, 2011.

The session was called to consider bills vetoed by Governor Bev Perdue, revise redistricting plans, and address election law bills.

Photo of the North Carolina State Legislative Building by Jayron32 on Wikipedia.

The special session of the North Carolina General Assembly adjourned on Monday evening.

A joint resolution is expected to pass the House and Senate that would schedule a three-day special session on November 27.

It also sets special sessions in 2012 for February 16-18 and April 23-25 before the standard May 16 short sessions begins.

Photo of the North Carolina State Legislative Building by Jayron32 on Wikipedia.

We now provide information on lobbying, political contributions, and procurement lobbying for:

Tempe, Arizona

Evansville, Indiana

South Bend, Indiana

Flint, Michigan

North Las Vegas, Nevada

Reno, Nevada

Fayetteville, North Carolina

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Knoxville, Tennessee

The North Carolina General Assembly adjourned the special session concerning redistricting on Thursday, July 28, 2011.

During the session, the redistricting process for the state was completed.

Further, five of Governor Beverly Perdue’s vetoes were overridden.

The Legislature is expected to convene another special session on Monday, September 12, 2011.

Photo of the North Carolina State Legislative Building by Jayron32 on Wikipedia.