February 10, 2017 •
Texas Ethics Reform Passes in Senate
Texas ethics overhaul, Senate Bill 14, passed unanimously in the Senate this week and is headed to the House. Gov. Greg Abbott released a statement praising the Senate’s swift movement, stating his confidence the comprehensive reforms will be passed. An […]
Texas ethics overhaul, Senate Bill 14, passed unanimously in the Senate this week and is headed to the House.
Gov. Greg Abbott released a statement praising the Senate’s swift movement, stating his confidence the comprehensive reforms will be passed.
An identical bill, House bill 1238, as well as six separate back-up bills duplicating each of the six articles in the reform package, were filed to avoid replicating the failure of a large ethics reform package during the 2015 legislative session.
February 9, 2017 •
Mississippi Senate Passes Bill Prohibiting Personal Use of Campaign Funds
The Senate unanimously passed a campaign finance bill prohibiting the personal use of campaign funds. Senate Bill 2689, passed with little debate, is nearly identical to a House-Senate conference measure from last year. The House, earlier in this legislative session, […]
The Senate unanimously passed a campaign finance bill prohibiting the personal use of campaign funds. Senate Bill 2689, passed with little debate, is nearly identical to a House-Senate conference measure from last year.
The House, earlier in this legislative session, passed a similar bill; however, the Senate version leaves oversight of campaign finance with the Secretary of State, whereas the House version gives enforcement powers to the state ethics commission.
Additionally, the Senate version does not require itemization of credit card payments. Currently, lawmakers must itemize any expenditure over $200, but are able to bypass this by only listing payments to the credit card company.
Each house can pass the other’s version and send it to the governor, or meet in a conference committee to work out the differences.
February 9, 2017 •
Vermont Increases Contribution Limits
Vermont has increased contribution limits to candidates, PACs, and political parties. By statute, contribution limits are reevaluated and adjusted based on the Consumer Price Index. A 2.1 percent increase was implemented allowing statewide candidates and PACs to receive $4,080 per […]
Vermont has increased contribution limits to candidates, PACs, and political parties.
By statute, contribution limits are reevaluated and adjusted based on the Consumer Price Index. A 2.1 percent increase was implemented allowing statewide candidates and PACs to receive $4,080 per election cycle, state Senate candidates to receive $1,530, and state representative candidates to receive $1,020.
Each limit applies to contributions from a single source or PAC.
This change is effective for two years, and thereafter, increases will apply for the term of two two-year general election cycles.
February 8, 2017 •
Wyoming Legislative Session Reaches Bill Crossover Deadline
Tuesday was the last day for bills in the 2017 session of the Wyoming Legislature to be approved in the house of origin. All bills, with the exception of the budget bill, that have not passed a third reading in […]
Tuesday was the last day for bills in the 2017 session of the Wyoming Legislature to be approved in the house of origin.
All bills, with the exception of the budget bill, that have not passed a third reading in the house of introduction are dead.
The legislative session is expected to adjourn on March 3, 2017.
February 8, 2017 •
Phoenix City Council Votes to Create Ethics Commission
On Tuesday, Phoenix City Council voted unanimously to move forward with creating a bipartisan ethics commission. The commission would screen allegations and recommend penalties for city officials who violate the city’s gift policies and other related rules. Under a plan laid out by […]
On Tuesday, Phoenix City Council voted unanimously to move forward with creating a bipartisan ethics commission. The commission would screen allegations and recommend penalties for city officials who violate the city’s gift policies and other related rules.
Under a plan laid out by a City Council member, potential commissioners are screened by a city board and ultimately appointed by City Council. Phoenix’s current ethics rules are unenforceable as the city lacks a mechanism for investigating ethics complaints and recommending punishment.
This is not the first time Phoenix has attempted to create an ethics commission; previous attempts have been unsuccessful in part due to concerns about the commission becoming a political attack tool.
City Council will still need to approve a final ordinance in order to establish an ethics commission. A final vote on the matter is expected this spring.
February 8, 2017 •
Tennessee Adjusts Contribution Limits for 2017-2018 Elections
The Tennessee Registry of Election Finance recently published updated contribution limits for 2017 and 2018 elections. The limits are adjusted in every odd-numbered year based on changes in the Consumer Price Index. Individuals may now contribute $4,000 per election to […]
The Tennessee Registry of Election Finance recently published updated contribution limits for 2017 and 2018 elections. The limits are adjusted in every odd-numbered year based on changes in the Consumer Price Index.
Individuals may now contribute $4,000 per election to statewide candidates. The limit for individuals contributing to local, state legislative, or other state candidates remains unchanged.
PACs may contribute $7,800 per election to local candidates and to candidates for state House, criminal court judge, circuit court judge, chancellor, probate court judge, district attorney general, or public defender. They may contribute $11,800 per election to statewide candidates and to candidates for state Senate. The aggregate PAC limit for all non-statewide elections was increased to $118,100.
Primary and general elections are considered separate elections for the purpose of campaign contribution limits.
February 6, 2017 •
Vermont Legislation Looks to Strengthen State Ethics Laws
Lawmakers are currently considering a bill to strengthen the state’s ethics laws. Senate Bill 8 would, among other things, prohibit legislators and executive officers from becoming a lobbyist for one year after leaving office; create an ethics commission to, in […]
Lawmakers are currently considering a bill to strengthen the state’s ethics laws.
Senate Bill 8 would, among other things, prohibit legislators and executive officers from becoming a lobbyist for one year after leaving office; create an ethics commission to, in turn, create a state code of ethics; prohibit campaign donors from entering into no-bid contracts worth more than $50,000; and require municipalities to create conflict of interest policies.
The bill is expected to reach the full Senate this week.
February 6, 2017 •
City of Tampa Launches Online Lobbyist System
The Tampa Ethics Office launched an online system for lobbyists to log meetings with city officials. The system replaces the paper lobbyist disclosure form. Just like in the past, a log entry must be submitted within three days of a […]
The Tampa Ethics Office launched an online system for lobbyists to log meetings with city officials. The system replaces the paper lobbyist disclosure form.
Just like in the past, a log entry must be submitted within three days of a meeting with a city official.
Currently, the system functions only as a means to submit meeting logs, however, in the future it is expected to also allow for electronic submission of the annual expenditure report.
February 6, 2017 •
Louisiana Special Session Called
Gov. John Bel Edwards has called a special session of the Louisiana Legislature. The special session will convene at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, February 13, and must adjourn by midnight on February 22. The governor wants the Legislature to address […]
Gov. John Bel Edwards has called a special session of the Louisiana Legislature.
The special session will convene at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, February 13, and must adjourn by midnight on February 22.
The governor wants the Legislature to address the state’s budget shortfall and believes a special session is necessary to spread cuts across government and minimize cuts to critical state services.
Edwards plans to lay out the specifics of the budget cuts this week.
The Legislature is not scheduled to convene its regular legislative session until April 10, 2017.
February 6, 2017 •
South Dakota Governor Signs Bill to Repeal Initiated Measure 22
On Thursday, February 2, Gov. Dennis Daugaard signed House Bill 1069 into law. The passage of this bill repeals Initiated Measure 22, which was the voter approved ethics and campaign finance overhaul that established various lobbying and campaign finance restrictions. […]
On Thursday, February 2, Gov. Dennis Daugaard signed House Bill 1069 into law.
The passage of this bill repeals Initiated Measure 22, which was the voter approved ethics and campaign finance overhaul that established various lobbying and campaign finance restrictions.
Initiated Measure 22 was not in effect since it was enjoined by a circuit court on December 8, 2016.
February 3, 2017 •
Bill to Eliminate Montana Office of Commissioner of Political Practices Filed
A bill was filed this week seeking to eliminate the Office of the Commissioner of Political Practices and split the duties between the attorney general and the secretary of state. Under House Bill 340, the secretary of state would be […]
A bill was filed this week seeking to eliminate the Office of the Commissioner of Political Practices and split the duties between the attorney general and the secretary of state. Under House Bill 340, the secretary of state would be responsible for duties related to the filing of ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance reports while the attorney general would assume control of investigative and enforcement duties.
The Office of the Commissioner of Political Practices, which was established in 1975, monitors, enforces, and investigates lobbying, ethics, and campaign finance and is appointed by the governor.
This comes as the current commissioner, Jonathon Motl, is preparing to exit his position pending confirmation of a successor. Motl was appointed three years into a six-year term expiring on January 1 but remained in office awaiting a court decision on the ending date of his term, much to the chagrin of Republican lawmakers who have accused Motl of partisan bias.
The bill’s sponsor believes the office holds too much power for a single person and splitting the authority between agencies will benefit the State’s ethics supervision.
February 3, 2017 •
Nebraska Senator Renews Effort to Ban Lobbyist-Provided Meals in the Capitol
Reviving his concern from last year’s legislative session, Sen. Ernie Chambers introduced a bill to prevent lawmakers from accepting meals from lobbyists in the Capitol. Legislative Bill 445 is similar to a proposal Sen. Chambers sponsored last year, but it […]
Reviving his concern from last year’s legislative session, Sen. Ernie Chambers introduced a bill to prevent lawmakers from accepting meals from lobbyists in the Capitol. Legislative Bill 445 is similar to a proposal Sen. Chambers sponsored last year, but it never made it to a vote. The bill specifically aims to prohibit meals served to lawmakers at the end of the session, when last minute decisions are made.
Lobbyists typically pool their money and provide large, buffet-style meals for legislators as they work into the night. Sen. Chambers said he is concerned the meals create the appearance improper influence.
February 2, 2017 •
Montana Commissioner to Remain in Office Until Successor is Confirmed
The Montana Supreme Court ruled Commissioner of Political Practices Jonathon Motl’s term has expired, but he must remain in office until a replacement is found. A lawsuit was filed in December 2016 claiming Motl, who was appointed to the position […]
The Montana Supreme Court ruled Commissioner of Political Practices Jonathon Motl’s term has expired, but he must remain in office until a replacement is found. A lawsuit was filed in December 2016 claiming Motl, who was appointed to the position in 2013 by Gov. Steve Bullock, was entitled to a full six-year term ending in 2019.
The Court stated they did not want to interfere with Bullock’s appointment and later confirmation by the Senate. The order went on to say Motl must remain in office until the Senate confirms a successor.
State Republicans are pleased with the quick ruling, providing an opportunity to confirm a new commissioner during the current 2017 legislative session. Motl’s chief legal counsel, Jamie MacNaughton, and former Billings city commissioner Michael Larson have already submitted applications to be considered as Motl’s replacement.
February 2, 2017 •
South Dakota Senate Sends Ethics Repeal Bill to Governor
The South Dakota Senate voted 27-8 to approve House Bill 1069, advancing the bill to repeal Initiated Measure 22 to Gov. Dennis Daugaard’s desk. Initiated Measure 22 is the voter approved ethics and campaign finance overhaul that established various lobbying […]
The South Dakota Senate voted 27-8 to approve House Bill 1069, advancing the bill to repeal Initiated Measure 22 to Gov. Dennis Daugaard’s desk.
Initiated Measure 22 is the voter approved ethics and campaign finance overhaul that established various lobbying and campaign finance restrictions.
Gov. Daugaard has previously stated his support for the repeal bill and is expected to sign the bill into law.
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