November 1, 2011 •
Texas Ethics Commission Adopts Amendments to Campaign Finance Rules
Track Senate Bill 1
The Texas Ethics Commission has adopted amendments to its rules regarding reporting requirements under the campaign finance law.
The changes in administrative rules §§20.50, 20.62, 20.219, 20.279, 20.331, and 20.433 bring them in line with Senate Bill 1, passed earlier this year.
While the bill became effective September 28, the Ethics Commission’s adopted rules became effective today.
November 1, 2011 •
Riverside County Enacts Mandatory Electronic Filing Ordinance
Candidates, Candidate Controlled Committees, and Independent Committees Affected
The Riverside County Board of Supervisors has approved ordinance number 913 which makes electronic campaign finance disclosure mandatory for candidates, candidate controlled committees, and independent committees which receive contributions or make expenditures of $5,000 or more.
Once the electronic reporting threshold has been met, all subsequent reports must be filed electronically.
The ordinance will take effect on November 28, 2011.
November 1, 2011 •
Mayor Signs Revision to Philadelphia Lobbying Law
Law Narrows Definition of Lobbying and Covers More Government Agencies
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA: Mayor Michael Nutter has approved a bill which alters restrictions on lobbyists to correct problems with the lobbying law approved last year. The original law was viewed as overly broad by many, including the Philadelphia Bar Association, which had threatened to fight it in court. This version more narrowly defines lobbying activity.
The new bill also expands the number of agencies covered under the law to include the Philadelphia School District, the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, and the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation.
October 31, 2011 •
Detroit Voters to Consider City Charter
Charter Proposes Ethics and Lobbying Reforms
On November 8, Detroit voters will consider a city charter proposed to reform the city government by bolstering ethics and reducing corruption. The proposed charter creates a board of ethics and the office of inspector general to investigate alleged ethical or criminal violations.
The charter seeks to improve transparency by requiring lobbyists and contractors to reveal financial connections with elected officials. Additionally, public servants are prohibited from accepting a gift, honoraria, or anything of value from individuals or companies seeking to do business with the city and a company can be barred from doing business with the city if found to be involved in contractual bribery or corruption.
Photo of the Detroit skyline by Shawn Wilson on Wikipedia.
October 31, 2011 •
Alabama, Lobbying, and the Changes
Alabama ethics reform 10 months later …
Today’s Birmingham News offers an article by Kim Chandler, “New Alabama ethics law sweeps in culture shift for capital lobbyists,” which describes how lobbying techniques in the state have changed since the ethics law was passed. Chandler also considers the views of those whose businesses have suffered in the capitol as a result of those changes.
“Ten months after the Alabama Legislature approved the new ethics law capping lobbyists’ spending, the culture is different in Montgomery, said several legislators. There are no more free tickets, golf outings, social trips or nightly one-on-one dinners with lobbyists.”
Photo of the Alabama State Capitol building by Jim Bowen on Wikipedia.
October 27, 2011 •
News from Missouri
Special Legislative Session Ended Tuesday
Missouri’s special legislative session on economic development ended Tuesday, October 25, 2011 without an economic bill.
The Senate passed a motion to adjourn sine die.
The Seals of the Missouri House of Representatives and Senate by Tom Lemmens on Wikipedia.
October 26, 2011 •
Nebraska Governor Calls Special Session
Special Session to Focus on Oil Pipeline to Run through State
Governor Dave Heinemen has called for a special session of the Nebraska Legislature to focus on proposed bills intended to reroute the Keystone XL crude-oil pipeline around a region of the state rich in groundwater. The session is scheduled to begin November 1, 2011, and is expected to last at least two weeks.
The call for a special session comes after weeks of debate as to whether such a session was necessary, as well as whether passing legislation pertaining to the pipeline would be constitutional and legal at this point in the process of planning the project.
For more information, you can read “Gov. calls for pipeline session” by Paul Hammel in the Omaha World-Herald.
Photo of the Nebraska Legislature Chamber by ensignbeedrill on Wikipedia.
October 25, 2011 •
Suffolk County Legislature Passes Bills Aimed at Cleaning Up County Ethics
Current Ethics Commission under Investigation
SUFFOLK COUNTY, NEW YORK: The Suffolk County Legislature has approved two bills that would overhaul the county’s ethics rules. One bill would create a five-member board of ethics, to replace the three-member commission. The county executive would appoint two members, and the legislature’s presiding officer, majority leader, and minority leader would each appoint one member. All appointees would require confirmation by the legislature.
The other bill consolidates disclosure and ethics requirements into one section of the county code. The bills are awaiting action by the County Executive.
The Suffolk County Ethics Commission is currently under investigation as a grand jury determines if the County Executive attempted to influence actions of the commission, and if the commission disclosed confidential information.
October 25, 2011 •
Montana, Political Campaigns, and Social Media
In response to complaints, the state prepares to define and regulate social media in politics.
Montana Commissioner of Political Practices David Gallik is now working on clarifying the rules for using social media in political campaigns. A few complaints have emerged in Montana over the use of email and social media in campaigns, and the commissioner recognizes the existing laws were crafted primarily for campaigns using print media, television, and radio.
In the Missoulian article “Montana political practices office to address social media campaign complaints,” journalist Keila Szpaller spoke with Gallik about what comes next for the state. The article also explores how the use of social media in political campaigns, and its regulation, can bring into focus the tension between personal privacy and the demands of an open democratic process.
October 25, 2011 •
Ohio Bill Signed to Create Multiple Primary Dates
Bill Deemed Necessary Due to Redistricting Issues
Governor John Kasich signed House Bill 318 into law the evening of Friday, October 21, 2011. House Bill 318 creates two separate primary elections in the state during 2012. The first primary election, for county partisan offices, the state legislature, and the available U.S. Senate seat, will be held on March 6, 2012, while the second primary date, for the President and U.S. House of Representatives, will be June 12, 2012.
The bill is intended to give state lawmakers more time to settle differences concerning Ohio’s recently passed map for legislative redistricting, as a Democrat-backed coalition seeks to place the redistricting measure before Ohio’s voters for a possible repeal in 2012 if a compromise cannot be reached.
October 24, 2011 •
Montana Contribution Limits Adjusted
Effective Today
Political contribution limit changes proposed this summer by the Montana Office of the Commissioner of Political Practices take effect today.
The adjustments affect the amount of contributions individuals, political parties, and political committees may make to candidates for the office of governor and other statewide positions.
Additionally, as also proposed this summer by the Commissioner’s office, electronic filing of reports is scheduled to begin in January.
October 24, 2011 •
San Francisco Ethics Commission Passes Campaign Finance Reform
Third Party Disclaimer, Disclosure, and Reporting to be Required
The San Francisco Ethics Commission has approved amendments to the campaign finance reform ordinance. The language of the amendments is forthcoming and will be approved by the commission at the November 14, 2011 meeting.
Amendments that were proposed and approved at the October 19, 2011 commission meeting include disclaimer, disclosure, and reporting requirements for communications that are paid for by third parties concerning candidates for city elective office, an affirmation of the $500 per person contribution limit to candidates, and permission for campaign funds to be used by a candidate to attend a fundraiser for a charitable organization. The commission also approved a provision which will allow the commission to modify the $500 limit to reflect the consumer price index for future elections.
The commission further clarified that a candidate may transfer funds from the candidate’s committee only before the funds become surplus.
October 24, 2011 •
Special Sessions Update
Maryland and South Dakota
MARYLAND: The Maryland General Assembly adjourned the special session to approve a congressional redistricting plan on October 20.
SOUTH DAKOTA: State lawmakers convened a special session on Monday, October 24. The purpose of the special session was to redraw the boundaries of the state’s voting districts.
October 24, 2011 •
Free Speech at Core of Mississippi Campaign Finance Suit
Mississippi Citizens Believe Reporting Requirement Stifles Political Participation
A federal lawsuit has been filed claiming a burden upon First Amendment free speech rights due to a state of Mississippi requirement that people or groups must file a campaign finance report upon spending at least $200 to support or oppose ballot initiatives.
The group of five citizens filing the suit claims the reporting requirement could scare people away from political participation. The group supports Mississippi Initiative 31, which limits the government’s use of eminent domain to take private land.
The citizens are represented by the Institute for Justice, a group that has also filed similar lawsuits concerning disclosure requirements in Colorado and Florida in recent years.
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.