December 18, 2023 •
Washington Updates Lobbying Reporting Thresholds
The Public Disclosure Commission recently voted to adjust the lobbying reporting thresholds due to inflation. This was decided after a public hearing was held and is a continuation of a broader effort to update the thresholds through the state’s political […]
The Public Disclosure Commission recently voted to adjust the lobbying reporting thresholds due to inflation.
This was decided after a public hearing was held and is a continuation of a broader effort to update the thresholds through the state’s political disclosure rules.
Updates include an increased threshold for itemizing expenditures on entertainment and food or beverage for public officials from $50 to $100.
Another update raises the limit for lobbyist and lobbyist employer reporting of a last-minute contribution from $1,000 to $1,500.
The thresholds will be in effect for the January reporting period due in February.
The December reporting period due in January will fall under previous thresholds. The new reporting thresholds take effect on January 8, 2024.
December 18, 2023 •
Virginia to Hold Special Election for Vacated House Seat
Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced a special election to fill the newly created District 48 seat in the House of Delegates. After being reelected just over a month ago, Del. Les Adams noted the reason for his resignation was to make […]
Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced a special election to fill the newly created District 48 seat in the House of Delegates.
After being reelected just over a month ago, Del. Les Adams noted the reason for his resignation was to make himself available for another position of service.
The special election will be held on January 9, 2024.
December 15, 2023 •
New Michigan Campaign Finance Laws Prohibit Distribution of Deceptive Political Ads
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed three campaign finance bills effective February 13, 2024. House Bill 5141, House Bill 5143, and House Bill 5144, prohibit distributing materially deceptive media and amend the disclaimer requirements for political ads and add definitions to the […]
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed three campaign finance bills effective February 13, 2024.
House Bill 5141, House Bill 5143, and House Bill 5144, prohibit distributing materially deceptive media and amend the disclaimer requirements for political ads and add definitions to the Campaign Finance Act to facilitate the implementation of the new laws.
House Bill 5144 prohibits a person from distributing materially deceptive media if all of the following apply:
- The person knows the media falsely represents a depicted individual;
- The distribution occurs within 90 days before an election;
- The person intends the distribution to harm the reputation or electoral prospects of a candidate in an election and likely to cause that result; and
- The person intends the distribution to change the voting behavior of electors in an election by deceiving the electors.
House Bill 5141 amends the disclaimer requirements for political ads, including special requirements for ads generated by artificial intelligence.
House Bill 5143 adds the definitions to the Michigan Campaign Finance Act including artificial intelligence, ballot question committee, bundling committee, and business.
December 13, 2023 •
New Congressional Maps Ordered for New York
The Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC) of New York has been tasked with redrawing the state’s congressional map by New York’s highest court. This decision to create a new map is due to a lawsuit brought against the IRC by voters […]
The Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC) of New York has been tasked with redrawing the state’s congressional map by New York’s highest court.
This decision to create a new map is due to a lawsuit brought against the IRC by voters after the Legislature was forced to create the most recent congressional maps rather than the IRC.
The new congressional map will need to make its way to the Legislature by the end of February in order to be in effect for the upcoming 2024 elections.
December 12, 2023 •
New Jersey Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Challenging Recent Campaign Finance Overhaul
Superior Court Judge Robert Lougy recently dismissed a lawsuit filed by the head of the state’s enforcement agency challenging the constitutionality of a recent campaign finance overhaul. The lawsuit was initially filed by former Executive Director Jeff Brindle of the […]
Superior Court Judge Robert Lougy recently dismissed a lawsuit filed by the head of the state’s enforcement agency challenging the constitutionality of a recent campaign finance overhaul.
The lawsuit was initially filed by former Executive Director Jeff Brindle of the Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC), seeking to block sections of the Elections Transparency Act.
This included a provision allowing Gov. Phil Murphy to directly appoint the four members of ELEC without the advice and consent of the Senate within a temporary 90-day period.
A provision reducing the amount of time the commission has to investigate campaign finance violations was also challenged.
Lougy determined the legislation was focused on several valid purposes that pertained directly to its subject matter.
The case was dismissed with prejudice and therefore unable to be filed again.
December 11, 2023 •
Montana Contribution Limits To Increase In 2024
The Commissioner of Political Practices published increases to the campaign contribution limits for the 2024-2025 election cycle. Individuals and PACs are able to contribute $1,120 per election to a candidate for governor and lieutenant governor; $790 per election to a […]
The Commissioner of Political Practices published increases to the campaign contribution limits for the 2024-2025 election cycle.
Individuals and PACs are able to contribute $1,120 per election to a candidate for governor and lieutenant governor; $790 per election to a candidate for statewide office; and $450 per election to a candidate for other public offices.
The previous limits were $1,000, $700, and $400.
Campaign limits have also increased for political party committees.
The new limits are applicable as of December 9, 2023.
December 11, 2023 •
Connecticut to Hold Special Election January 23
On January 23, 2024, a special election will be held to fill a vacant seat for the 115th Assembly District of the Connecticut House of Representatives. Gov. Ned Lamont formerly announced the special election on December 8 in order to […]
On January 23, 2024, a special election will be held to fill a vacant seat for the 115th Assembly District of the Connecticut House of Representatives.
Gov. Ned Lamont formerly announced the special election on December 8 in order to fill the seat vacated by Dorinda Borer.
Borer resigned on December 2 and was inaugurated as the newly elected mayor of West Haven on December 3.
December 11, 2023 •
New York Gov. Hochul Vetoes Bill Closing Judicial Lobbying Loophole
Gov. Kathy Hochul vetoed legislation inspired by the 2023 session’s chief judge battle. Senate Bill 4152 would have required lobbying groups to disclose spending on campaigns for or against gubernatorial nominees to state office, including the nomination or confirmation of […]
Gov. Kathy Hochul vetoed legislation inspired by the 2023 session’s chief judge battle.
Senate Bill 4152 would have required lobbying groups to disclose spending on campaigns for or against gubernatorial nominees to state office, including the nomination or confirmation of any person for a position subject to confirmation by the Senate.
Hochul’s initial nominee for chief judge of the state Court of Appeals, Hector D. LaSalle, sparked fierce efforts to support and oppose his appointment, including unregulated campaigns that sought to alter the outcome.
The groups lobbying for LaSalle’s nomination voluntarily reported their lobbying while the groups lobbying against LaSalle’s nomination declined to do so, stating there was no requirement to report.
Senate Democrats blocked the nomination of LaSalle, marking the first time the Legislature has not confirmed a candidate for the Court of Appeals.
Hochul cited significant new reporting requirements and implementation costs not already accounted for in her veto memo.
December 11, 2023 •
Minnesota Board Releases Potentially Controversial Draft Rule Language
The Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board issued draft rule language staff considers to be potentially controversial. The language will be considered by the board’s three-member rulemaking committee at one or more public meetings to be announced at a later […]
The Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board issued draft rule language staff considers to be potentially controversial.
The language will be considered by the board’s three-member rulemaking committee at one or more public meetings to be announced at a later date.
Interested parties will have an opportunity to comment on the draft rule language.
Once it is available staff will also release draft rule language intended to implement changes made by the Legislature in 2023 to statutes governing lobbyist regulation and reporting.
Information related to the rulemaking process, including how to sign up for the rulemaking notice list, the dates of any scheduled rulemaking committee meetings, copies of official documents, copies of formal comments received by the board, and draft rules, will be posted on the board’s rulemaking docket webpage at cfb.mn.gov/citizen-resources/the-board/statutes-and-rules/rulemaking-docket.
December 11, 2023 •
New York Special Election Scheduled for February 13, 2024
Gov. Kathy Hochul issued a proclamation ordering a special election on February 13, 2024, to fill the vacancy in the United States House of Representatives Third Congressional District for the unexpired term of George Santos. Santos was expelled on December […]
Gov. Kathy Hochul issued a proclamation ordering a special election on February 13, 2024, to fill the vacancy in the United States House of Representatives Third Congressional District for the unexpired term of George Santos.
Santos was expelled on December 1, causing House Republicans to be down a seat for the next two months, with an even narrower majority in the closely divided chamber.
The seat in Nassau and Queens counties is a key piece in the Democrats’ plan to retake the House majority next year.
Former Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi, who left in 2022 to mount a failed run for governor, is a lead contender to reclaim his old seat.
December 1, 2023 •
Oakland City Council Passes Amendments To Lobbying Ordinance
The City Council recently passed an ordinance codifying lobbyist registration fees and fee penalties. The registration fee is $500 with a late filing fee of $10 per day for registrations and reports and a fee cap of $1,000. The ordinance […]
The City Council recently passed an ordinance codifying lobbyist registration fees and fee penalties.
The registration fee is $500 with a late filing fee of $10 per day for registrations and reports and a fee cap of $1,000.
The ordinance also implements a partial or complete waiver of registration fees for a local governmental lobbyist who, along with other criteria, is a salaried employee of an organization or association that is a 501(c)(3).
The ordinance also establishes a lobbyist training requirement and lobbyists must complete an online training session offered by the Public Ethics Commission with 60 days of initial registration.
Quarterly reports will now be due no later than the last day of the month following the end of each calendar quarter.
This ordinance is effective immediately.
November 29, 2023 •
Michigan Lobby Registration Act 2024 Reporting Thresholds Published
The Bureau of Elections posted the Lobby Registration Act 2024 Reporting Thresholds, which change every year in January to reflect the change in the consumer price index for Detroit. The registration thresholds for individual lobbyist compensation and for employer expenditures […]
The Bureau of Elections posted the Lobby Registration Act 2024 Reporting Thresholds, which change every year in January to reflect the change in the consumer price index for Detroit.
The registration thresholds for individual lobbyist compensation and for employer expenditures on a single official increased from $725 to $775.
Exempt expenditures increased from $15 to $16.
The registration threshold for an employer making lobbying expenditures increased from $2,900 to $3,075 for any 12-month period.
The financial transaction threshold between a registered employer or lobbyist and a public official increased from $1,450 to $1,550.
The reporting threshold for travel and lodging reimbursements increased from $950 to $1,000.
Monthly food and beverage expenditures allowance for a public official increased from $72 to $76, and the threshold for food and beverages purchased between January 1 and end the reporting period increased from $450 to $475.
Employee reimbursements increased from $29 to $31, and the general gift threshold also increased from $72 to $76.
Late filing fees increased from $29 a day up to a maximum of $870, to $31 a day up to a maximum of $930.
November 28, 2023 •
South Carolina Schedules Special Election
South Carolina will hold a special election in State House District 109 following the resignation of Sen. Deon Tedder, who won a special election for the Senate District 42 seat on November 7. The April 2, 2024 election will be […]
South Carolina will hold a special election in State House District 109 following the resignation of Sen. Deon Tedder, who won a special election for the Senate District 42 seat on November 7.
The April 2, 2024 election will be preceded by the primary on January 30 and a primary runoff on February 13, if necessary.
November 16, 2023 •
New Hampshire Presidential Primary Is January 23
Secretary of State David Scanlan announced January 23 as the date of its presidential primary, eight days after the Iowa caucuses and defying the Democratic National Committee’s plans to give South Carolina the party’s first primary contest. New Hampshire has […]
Secretary of State David Scanlan announced January 23 as the date of its presidential primary, eight days after the Iowa caucuses and defying the Democratic National Committee’s plans to give South Carolina the party’s first primary contest.
New Hampshire has held its first in the nation primary status for more than a century.
In 1975, the state enacted a law that required the primary to take place at least seven or more days before any other state.
Biden’s name will be missing from the New Hampshire presidential primary ballot this year, and they face a potential loss of delegates to the Democratic convention, for not following the party’s new order.
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