March 7, 2018 •
San Jose, California Transitioning to Electronic Filing for Lobbyist Reports
The city of San Jose is transitioning to an electronic system for filing weekly lobbyist reports. To file weekly reports, a lobbyist must register to create an account on the Weekly Lobbyist Reporting Form portal at the city clerk’s website. […]
The city of San Jose is transitioning to an electronic system for filing weekly lobbyist reports.
To file weekly reports, a lobbyist must register to create an account on the Weekly Lobbyist Reporting Form portal at the city clerk’s website.
The prior weekly reporting form will be available on the clerk’s website until March 12.
Fines for failure to file a weekly report or filing a weekly report late will not be assessed until July 1, 2018.
March 7, 2018 •
Nashville Mayor Resigns After Pleading Guilty to Felony Theft
Nashville Mayor Megan Barry resigned yesterday, March 6, after pleading guilty to felony theft of property exceeding $10,000. Barry misappropriated city funds over the course of two years to bankroll an affair with the head of her security detail. As […]
Nashville Mayor Megan Barry resigned yesterday, March 6, after pleading guilty to felony theft of property exceeding $10,000.
Barry misappropriated city funds over the course of two years to bankroll an affair with the head of her security detail.
As part of a plea deal, Barry agreed to reimburse the city $11,000 and serve three years of unsupervised probation.
Vice Mayor David Briley was sworn in as mayor immediately following her resignation.
March 6, 2018 •
Oregon Legislature Adjourns
On March 3, the Oregon Legislature adjourned its biennial short session. Bills passed strengthen domestic violence laws, create a task force to study opioid addiction treatment barriers and implement a peer support program, require more transparency from prescription drug manufacturers, and eliminate a […]
On March 3, the Oregon Legislature adjourned its biennial short session.
Bills passed strengthen domestic violence laws, create a task force to study opioid addiction treatment barriers and implement a peer support program, require more transparency from prescription drug manufacturers, and eliminate a federal deduction for businesses on state tax returns.
Gov. Brown has 30 days to sign, veto, or let the bills become law without her signature.
March 6, 2018 •
Special Session of the Louisiana Legislature Adjourns
The Louisiana Legislature adjourned a special legislative session on the state’s budget crisis on Monday night, two days before the session was scheduled end. During the session, Lawmakers were unable to reach a deal to close the state’s $994 million […]
The Louisiana Legislature adjourned a special legislative session on the state’s budget crisis on Monday night, two days before the session was scheduled end.
During the session, Lawmakers were unable to reach a deal to close the state’s $994 million budget shortfall.
State agencies who are unsure of their future funding will need to wait three to four months for a second special session to be called for a resolution, as tax bills cannot be considered during a regular session of the Legislature. Louisiana’s regularly scheduled legislative session will convene March 12 and is scheduled to end by June 4.
Gov. John Bel Edwards stated his hope for the regular session to end early to allow the Legislature to remedy the budget shortfall in a second special session in late May or early June.
March 2, 2018 •
Los Angeles, California Increases Contribution Limits
The Los Angeles, California City Ethics Commission announced the annual adjustments to campaign contribution limits. The contribution amount allowable per-person increased for mayoral, city attorney and controller elections, but not for Los Angeles City Council elections. The amounts apply to […]
The Los Angeles, California City Ethics Commission announced the annual adjustments to campaign contribution limits.
The contribution amount allowable per-person increased for mayoral, city attorney and controller elections, but not for Los Angeles City Council elections.
The amounts apply to city elections in which the primary election fundraising window opens after March 1, 2018.
The limits do not apply to Los Angeles Unified School District elections.
March 1, 2018 •
Candidate Asking Court to Void Cook County Pay-to-Play Limits
Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios is asking Circuit Court Judge Sanjay Tailor to void the county’s pay-to-play provisions. Current ethics rules limit campaign contributions from those who seek official action from the county. Berrios argues only the state has the […]
Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios is asking Circuit Court Judge Sanjay Tailor to void the county’s pay-to-play provisions. Current ethics rules limit campaign contributions from those who seek official action from the county.
Berrios argues only the state has the authority to limit campaign contributions, while the county maintains it is permitted to set more-restrictive limits to avoid impropriety.
Berrios was fined $41,000 in January (after receiving warnings from the Board of Ethics last summer) for taking 41 contributions exceeding pay-to-play limits from property tax appeal lawyers affected by the decisions of his office.
As he waits for a court ruling, Berrios continues to accept contributions exceeding county limits.
Pictured: Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios
March 1, 2018 •
San Francisco Board Member Moves to Hold a Joint Meeting
The San Francisco, California Board of Supervisors and Ethics Commission may hold a joint meeting and possibly vote on a campaign finance reform measure on April 3. The Ethics Commission has spent two years drafting reforms regulating areas including behested […]
The San Francisco, California Board of Supervisors and Ethics Commission may hold a joint meeting and possibly vote on a campaign finance reform measure on April 3.
The Ethics Commission has spent two years drafting reforms regulating areas including behested payments, bundling contributions, independent expenditure committees, and conflicts of interest related to developers and city contractors.
Supervisor Aaron Peskin introduced a motion on February 27 to hold the joint meeting, and the full board is expected to vote on that motion as early as March 6.
Both the commission and the board need to approve the same version of the reform legislation for it to become law.
March 1, 2018 •
Colorado Lawmaker Facing Expulsion Vote
The Colorado General Assembly will vote Friday on whether to expel a lawmaker; such a vote will be the first in more than a century. Democratic state Rep. Steve Lebsock is facing multiple accusations of sexual harassment and misconduct. House […]
The Colorado General Assembly will vote Friday on whether to expel a lawmaker; such a vote will be the first in more than a century.
Democratic state Rep. Steve Lebsock is facing multiple accusations of sexual harassment and misconduct. House Majority Leader KC Becker determined the allegations both serious and egregious in nature, demonstrating a pattern of inappropriate behavior.
Each chamber is permitted, per the state Constitution, to remove any member from office for bad behavior. Removal will require support from at least 44 of the 65 legislators in the House.
March 1, 2018 •
Wisconsin Elections Administrator to Step Down
Michael Haas, administrator of the Wisconsin Elections Commission, announced he is stepping down after Republican lawmakers rejected his confirmation last month. GOP lawmakers thought they had essentially fired Haas by failing to confirm him, but Haas initially disagreed with their […]
Michael Haas, administrator of the Wisconsin Elections Commission, announced he is stepping down after Republican lawmakers rejected his confirmation last month. GOP lawmakers thought they had essentially fired Haas by failing to confirm him, but Haas initially disagreed with their legal interpretation and continued in the position.
In his resignation letter, Haas said the battle to remain in office would hinder the commission’s work and drain it of its resources. He will temporarily serve as staff counsel at the Elections Commission before leaving the agency entirely.
Assistant Administrator Meagan Wolfe is expected to be named interim administrator.
On the same day Haas announced his resignation, the Wisconsin Ethics Commission named ethics specialist Colette Reinke as interim administrator to replace Brian Bell. Bell resigned from the position last month after the Senate also rejected his confirmation.
Democratic lawmakers have criticized Republicans for targeting ethics and elections workers because of their connections with the former Government Accountability Board.
February 28, 2018 •
Georgia House Passes Sexual Harassment Measure for Lobbyists
The Georgia House of Representatives unanimously voted today to require lobbyists to sign an annual statement agreeing to abide by the General Assembly’s sexual harassment policy. House Bill 973 would make signing this statement a condition to lobbyist registration, and […]
The Georgia House of Representatives unanimously voted today to require lobbyists to sign an annual statement agreeing to abide by the General Assembly’s sexual harassment policy.
House Bill 973 would make signing this statement a condition to lobbyist registration, and violations of the policy would be grounds for sanctions.
The bill has not yet been assigned a committee in the Senate.
February 28, 2018 •
Alabama Senator Introduces Bill Revising Ethics Law
Sen. Del Marsh introduced an 119 page bill revising the Alabama Ethics Act. Senate Bill 343 amends several definitions, including but not limited to, de minimus, lobbyist, principal, and thing of value. The bill would allow caucuses to solicit or […]
Sen. Del Marsh introduced an 119 page bill revising the Alabama Ethics Act.
Senate Bill 343 amends several definitions, including but not limited to, de minimus, lobbyist, principal, and thing of value. The bill would allow caucuses to solicit or receive meals and beverages from a lobbyist or principal.
Additionally, the bill would authorize the creation of a legal defense fund for a public official or public employee being investigated for a violation of ethics laws.
February 26, 2018 •
Missouri Governor Indicted
Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens was indicted Thursday on a felony invasion of privacy charge related to the cover-up of an extramarital affair. Although he admits to having the affair, Greitens denies any criminal action and plans to remain in office. […]
Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens was indicted Thursday on a felony invasion of privacy charge related to the cover-up of an extramarital affair.
Although he admits to having the affair, Greitens denies any criminal action and plans to remain in office. However, he will no longer serve on the executive committee of the Republican Governors Association and did not attend the National Governors Association’s annual meeting last weekend in Washington, D.C.
Several lawmakers, including those from his own party, are calling on Greitens to resign; some propose impeachment proceedings if he does not step down.
February 22, 2018 •
2018 Utah Lobbying Bills
In the 2018 regularly scheduled legislative session, the Utah Legislature has introduced a handful of bills modifying the Lobbyist Disclosure and Regulation Act. Following a trend in state legislatures, House Bill 110 requires lobbyists to take an annual training course […]
In the 2018 regularly scheduled legislative session, the Utah Legislature has introduced a handful of bills modifying the Lobbyist Disclosure and Regulation Act.
Following a trend in state legislatures, House Bill 110 requires lobbyists to take an annual training course on unlawful harassment and creates a penalty requiring fines and revocation if the training is not completed in the prescribed amount of time.
Additionally, House Bill 20 exempts from the definition of reportable expenditures food or beverage provided to a public official at an event, tour, or meeting when the public official is giving a speech, participating in a panel discussion, or presenting or receiving an award at the event, tour, or meeting.
Lastly, House Bill 206 exempts from the expenditure provisions of the Lobbyist Disclosure and Regulation Act a gift received by a public official on behalf of the state and establishes provisions for the retention or disposal of a gift that a public official accepts on behalf of the state.
February 22, 2018 •
South Dakota Expands Campaign Finance Disclosure Requirements
South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard signed a bill into law expanding campaign finance disclosure requirements. House Bill 1003 requires candidates and committees to itemize any contribution received from an entity. An entity includes corporations, labor unions, and non-profits, as well […]
South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard signed a bill into law expanding campaign finance disclosure requirements.
House Bill 1003 requires candidates and committees to itemize any contribution received from an entity.
An entity includes corporations, labor unions, and non-profits, as well as other associations not a natural person or political committee.
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