LobbyComply Blog

The Denver City Council has passed Bill 26-0686, significantly amending the city’s lobbying registration and disclosure requirements. Signed into law by Mayor Mike Johnston, the legislation expands the legal definition of lobbying, modifies registration deadlines, expands bi-monthly disclosure obligations, and increases administrative fees. Compliance officers, government relations professionals, and lobbyists operating in Denver must adapt to these legislative changes before they officially take effect on January 1, 2027.

Key Provisions of Denver Bill 26-0686

Bill 26-0686 introduces major structural updates to municipal ethics and transparency regulations. Government affairs teams should review the following key areas to ensure full regulatory compliance.

Regulation of Administrative Matter Lobbying

The legislation expressly brings administrative matter lobbying under official municipal regulation. Previously, Denver lobbying laws applied strictly to legislative matters. Under the new ordinance, lobbying communications regarding the following topics are regulated:

• Agency rules and regulations
• Land use and zoning decisions
• Mayoral activity on municipal bills and executive orders

Official procurement processes and standard marketing communications remain from these rules. However, this does not apply if a communication includes a specific request for action on a legislative or administrative matter.

Revised Registration Timelines and Expenditure Thresholds

Bill 26-0686 adjusts the timeline for initial registration. Current law requires lobbyists to register with the Denver City Clerk within five days of first engaging in lobbying activity. The new ordinance replaces that standard with updated criteria:

• Individual Lobbyists: Must register within 10 days of agreeing to lobby for compensation exceeding $1000 or after receiving more than $1,000 for lobbying services.
• Lobbying Entities: Must register within 10 days of compensating a lobbyist or employee more than $1,000 to conduct lobbying activities.
• Grassroots Organizations: Any person making grassroots lobbying expenditures exceeding $5,000 in a calendar year must complete lobbyist or lobbying entity registration within 10 days of crossing the threshold.

Expanded Bi-Monthly Disclosure Requirements

Reporting obligations for registered lobbyists and lobbying entities will expand under the new framework. Bi-monthly reports must now include disclosures regarding compensation received or paid for lobbying activities.

Additionally, filings must provide specific information regarding every legislative and administrative matter lobbied, including:

• Client name
• Covered official information
• A detailed description of the subject matter

Under previous standards, detailed matter disclosures were required only when reporting lobbying expenditures.

Fee Increases, Penalty Enhancements, and Ethics Restrictions

The updated law alters financial penalties, registration costs, and post-employment restrictions:

• Registration Fees: Fees for both individual lobbyists and lobbying entities will increase to $100. Previously, fees were set at $50 for individual lobbyists and $75 for entities.
• Reporting Violations: Penalties for late or improper reporting increase to $50 per day, capped at a maximum of $500.
• Non-Reporting Violations: May incur fines up to $999 per violation, in addition to potential administrative enforcement.
• Cooling-Off Period: Former elected officials and certain former covered officials are prohibited from engaging in lobbying for compensation for 12 months following the end of their term or employment.
• Mandatory Training: Registered lobbyists must complete required lobbyist training within 30 days of initial registration.

To review official municipal legislative records and council proceedings, visit the Denver City Council Legislative Portal.

Comparison Summary: Existing Law vs. Bill 26-0686

Provision Area	Existing Denver Law	New Law (Bill 26-0686)
Scope of Lobbying	Covers legislative matters only	Covers legislative and administrative matters
Registration Deadline	Within 5 days of first lobbying engagement	Within 10 days of
Lobbyist Registration Fee	$50	$100
Entity Registration Fee	$75	$100
Bi-Monthly Reporting	Detailed reporting required primarily for expenditures	Detailed reporting required for
Post-Employment Restriction		12-month lobbying ban for certain former covered officials
Lobbyist Training	Not specified	Mandatory within 30 days of registration

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When do the new Denver lobbying requirements take effect?

Bill 26-0686 takes effect on January 1, 2027. Organizations and individual practitioners should prepare to adjust their tracking systems and compliance schedules prior to this date.

How does Bill 26-0686 change the definition of lobbying?

The ordinance expands the definition to include administrative matters such as executive orders, mayoral bill decisions, agency rulemaking, and land-use or zoning decisions. Official procurement and marketing communications are unless they include a direct request for action on a legislative or administrative issue.

What are the penalties for failing to file lobbying disclosures in Denver?

Violations related to reporting carry a $ 50-per-day fine, capped at $500.

What is the new revolving-door policy for former Denver officials?

Former elected officials and certain former covered are subject to a 12-month cooling-off period. They may not engage in compensated lobbying activities for one full year after leaving office or ending employment with the city.

Stay Ahead of Municipal Compliance

Navigating shifting compliance regulations across local, state, federal, and international jurisdictions requires up-to-date legal intelligence and proactive monitoring. To manage municipal lobbying compliance and stay informed on regulatory developments across North America, explore the compliance tools available at State and Federal Communications.

New Hampshire lawmakers passed a bill to increase PAC reporting thresholds. PACs will be required to itemize receipts from contributors who give over $200 in the aggregate in an election cycle and include information on the contributor’s occupation if they give over $1,000. Previously, the thresholds were $50 and $200. The changes were included in Senate Bill 405, which was signed by Gov. Kelly Ayotte. The changes go into effect August 18.

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From the States and Municipalities

Canada – New Foreign Influence Office Won’t Prevent Foreign Interference, Commissioner Says

MSN – CBC | Published: 8/4/2026

Canada’s new foreign influence office will not prevent foreign interference, but it will provide more transparency for Canadians who want to know who is trying to influence their government officials on behalf of foreign governments, said Anton Boegman, Canada’s first foreign influence transparency commissioner. Anyone who works with or on behalf of a foreign government or agency to influence a politician or government official at the federal, provincial, or municipal level will now have to register. Fines for failing to comply with the new rules range from $250 to $1 million.

Georgia – Georgia Ethics Cops Nix Judge, Put First Liberty-Linked GOP PACs on Hook for $45K

Hoodline – Ray Bianchi | Published: 8/4/2026

Georgia’s ethics commission rejected a judge’s ruling that cleared two conservative political groups, reopening the path to civil penalties over allegedly hidden election spending. The Georgia Republican Assembly and its affiliated PAC now face a fresh legal headache after the commission unanimously rejected the administrative law judge’s findings. The commission is expected to take up penalties in September.

Hawaii – ‘Culture Of Corruption’? Records Link Arrested Lawmaker to Lobbyist

Honolulu Civil Beat – Blaze Lovell | Published: 7/27/2026

Prosecutors allege lobbyist Tobi Solidum paid Rep. Ryan Yamane in a series of cash and check installments to take official actions culminating in a scheme, prosecutors allege, to direct emergency funds to a Covid-testing program run by the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii. Solidum made millions of dollars from the testing program, according to court documents. Yamane is now the third member of the House to be accused of bribery in recent years.

Hawaii – Hawai’i Lawmakers Demand Special Session Following Bribery Indictments

Honolulu Civil Beat – Chad Blair | Published: 7/30/2026

Hours after four defendants pleaded not guilty to bribery and other charges, a coalition of lawmakers and community groups are calling for the Hawaii Legislature to act. They want a special session to be held before the general election in November to immediately pass legislation that would prohibit government contractors from making campaign donations.

Maine – Federal Appeals Court Hears Maine Test Case on Regulating Super PACs

Yahoo News – Emma Davis (Maine Morning Star) | Published: 7/29/2026

The U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision that struck down limits on independent political spending does not need to be overturned to rein in Big Money in politics, Neal Katyal argued before the First U.S. Court of Appeals in defense of Maine’s 2024 referendum regulating political spending. Whether the three-judge panel agrees could determine whether the Maine test case will go before the U.S. Supreme Court, which has been the goal of those behind the ballot referendum from the outset.

Michigan – El-Sayed Edges Out Establishment Candidate in Crucial Michigan Senate Primary

MSN – Erin Cox and Praveena Somasundaram (Washington Post) | Published: 8/5/2026

Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, a former public health official who built a surging progressive movement in Michigan, overcame a spending disadvantage and opposition from the Democratic establishment to win the U.S. Senate primary. El-Sayed used a populist message to beat U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens. El-Sayed’s win both accelerates an ideological fight within his party and launches a hypercompetitive general election contest with national implications.

Michigan – Top Detroit Official Earned $1.8M at Company Getting City Tax Breaks

USA Today – Violet Ikonomova (Detroit Free Press) | Published: 8/6/2026

The Lear Corporation’s auto supply plant opened in Detroit with help from millions of dollars in tax breaks brokered by City Hall and a city development nonprofit. One man held, and still holds, leadership roles in all three organizations: Conrad Mallett. He is the top lawyer at City Hall, representing departments that pushed for or approved a tax break for Lear. Mallett is also board chair of the nonprofit Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, whose staff recommended a tax break for Lear and worked on the broader plant deal.

North Carolina – SBI Director Appears at NC Fundraiser. Why Ethics Experts Say That’s a Problem

MSN – Dan Kane (Raleigh News & Observer) | Published: 8/5/2026

The director of the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) attended a political fundraiser at a restaurant for a North Carolina lawmaker. The next day, an SBI social media post praised lawmakers for their support. This happened as the bureau is conducting an expanding criminal investigation into a politically connected nonprofit, Greater Carolina, that took lawmakers on two trips in Kentucky that were paid for in part by liquor businesses.

Ohio – Judge Tosses 3 Charges Against Ex-FirstEnergy Exec, Leaves Bribery Charges Intact

MSN – Adam Ferrise (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 8/4/2026

A judge dismissed three charges against former FirstEnergy lobbyist Michael Dowling but left intact the central bribery accusations against him and former Chief Executive Officer Chuck Jones as the case heads toward a second trial. Summit County Common Pleas Judge Susan Baker Ross threw out two counts of tampering with records and one count of telecommunications fraud against Dowling.

Texas – Who’s Lobbying Austin City Hall? Data Shows the Biggest Players and Who They’re Talking To

MSN – Michael Zhang and Chaya Tong (Austin American-Statesman) | Published: 8/2/2026

The Austin officials contacted most frequently by registered lobbyists are not Mayor Kirk Watson or the 10 other members of the city council. Instead, the list is dominated by city employees who review zoning cases, development proposals, and other policy matters before they reach elected officials. New disclosure rules expanded the types of lobbying contacts that must be disclosed to include emails, text messages, phone calls, and other communications. Lobbyists are now responsible for reporting their own contacts with city officials.

Summer is travel season—and for many of us, it feels like everyone is on the move. Whether you are packing your own bags, managing a business while key employees take well-earned vacations, or simply navigating crowded airports and highways, summer can test our patience and our planning.

So how do we survive a busy travel summer?

We start by adjusting our expectations. Flights may be—okay will be delayed. Roads will be congested. Popular destinations will be more crowded than we would like. Accepting travel rarely goes exactly as planned can make the inevitable hiccups much easier to handle.

Preparation is your best travel companion. Pack thoughtfully, arrive early, keep important documents accessible, and build extra time into your schedule. A little planning can turn a stressful day into a manageable one.

Remember, vacations are meant to restore us, not exhaust us. Leave room for unplanned moments. You do not have to see every attraction or fill every minute. Some of the best travel memories come from slowing down, enjoying a local café, watching the sunset, or having an unexpected conversation with someone new.

If you are staying behind while others travel, summer presents its own challenges. Businesses often operate with leaner staffing, making teamwork and flexibility more important than ever. Cross-training employees, communicating schedules early, and extending a little extra grace to coworkers can help everyone make it through the season successfully.

Most importantly, practice patience. The family with young children boarding the plane, the hotel employee juggling a full house, the restaurant server working a double shift—they are all doing their best. A smile, a kind word, and a little understanding can go a long way.

Summer is fleeting. Before long, the backpacks will replace the suitcases, and routines will return. Until then, embrace the adventure, prepare for the unexpected, and remember the journey itself is often just as meaningful as the destination.

Travel safely, be patient, and make memories which will last long after the tan lines have faded.

After attending both the ALEC and NCSL Conferences, John Chames and I are joining our daughter and her family in Thessaloniki and plan to restore and relax before continuing with our everyday schedules and conferences.

Thank you.

EB

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National/Federal

Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court to Allow New Limits on Mail Ballots

MSN – Justin Jouvenal (Washington Post) | Published: 7/27/2026

The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to clear the way for a sweeping executive order that would place major new restrictions on mail-in voting for November’s midterm elections. A divided panel of an appeals court upheld a federal judge’s block on the order, finding it would “sow confusion” and “threaten disenfranchisement of many eligible voters.” Trump claims that voting irregularities are widespread, despite a lack of evidence.

Government Withdraws Subpoenas of 3 Reporters for The New York Times After Admitting Legal Errors

Yahoo News – Michael Sisak, Eric Tucker, and Larry Neumeister (Associated Press) | Published: 7/22/2026

Criticized by a federal judge for sloppy legal work, the government withdrew subpoenas that would have compelled three New York Times reporters to testify about their sources for articles about President Trump’s Qatari-gifted Air Force One jet. The withdrawals come at a time when the Trump administration is vigorously going after news organizations whose reporting and coverage it does not like, and also trying to crack down on leaks inside the government.

From the States and Municipalities

Canada – Lobbyist Admits Lunch with Mayor’s Staffer Broke Rules, but Says She’s Been Vindicated

MSN – Arthur White-Crummey | Published: 7/27/2026

After a complaint about Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe’s relationship with a lobbying firm was resolved without penalty, the company’s chief executive has acknowledged she did not comply with the rules by buying lunch for the mayor’s chief of staff. Integrity commissioner Karen Shepherd was asked to investigate a complaint made by mayoral candidate Alex Lawson, who alleged Syntax Strategic and its Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Stewart breached the city’s lobbying law and code of conduct in at least five different ways.

Arizona – GOP Arizona Corporation Commission Candidate Faces Loss of $370,000 from Clean Elections

KJZZ – Wayne Schutsky | Published: 7/29/2026

A Republican running for the Arizona Corporation Commission is facing allegations he filed misleading financial reports and is at risk of losing out on publicly funded campaign dollars. This year, qualified Corporation Commission candidates are eligible for up to nearly $370,000 in Clean Elections funding. But state Rep. Ralph Heap might not see a dime. That is because he has not filed a sworn statement affirming he has filed accurate campaign finance reports that show how much money his campaign raised and how it was spent.

California – Sweeping FBI Raids in San Bernardino, Beverly Hills Tied to Larger Foreign Influence Probes, Sources Say

MSN – Richard Winston (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 7/28/2026

A series of recent FBI raids involving San Bernardino County elected officials and a Chinese-language media company are part of a growing probes into public corruption and foreign influence in Southern California, law enforcement sources say. FBI agents searched the homes and offices of a San Bernardino County supervisor, an Ontario City Council member, and the offices of EDI Media, a well-known Chinese-U.S. media producer. Officials also raided a Beverly Hills mansion owned by a Chinese family and obtained records at Ontario International Airport.

Hawaii – Bribery Charges: Sylvia Luke, ex-state rep and others indicted in corruption case

Honolulu Civil Beat – Madeleine Valera, Blaze Lovell, and Christina Jedra | Published: 7/24/2026

A grand jury indicted Hawaii Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, as well as ex-state Rep. Ryan Yamane, local businessperson Tobi Solidum, and other individuals, accusing one of the state’s highest ranking public officials of corruption. The felony indictments are part of the attorney general’s investigation into an “influential” lawmaker who federal prosecutors said took $35,000 from a federal bribery suspect in 2022, a mystery that has gripped the state for more than a year. The new charges represent another monumental moment in a political scandal that already landed two of Luke’s former colleagues in prison.

Indiana – ‘Dreamy’ Suite Views and a Corvette: Here’s how Hogsett uses mayoral perks

MSN – Hayleigh Colombo (Indianapolis Star) | Published: 7/29/2026

During Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett’s decade in office, the city’s private suites at Gainbridge and Lucas Oil Stadium served as gathering spots for a “revolving door” of well-connected guests. Despite making a vow to “renounce all perks of the office” if he was elected mayor, Hogsett and his family have been frequent attendees of Pacers and Colts games and other events. The suites, controlled by the mayor’s office and provided to the city as part of the facilities’ operating agreements, are intended to be used by city officials and employees for city business.

Maine – Democrats Pick New Senate Candidate in Maine in Aftermath of Platner Debacle

MSN – Alexei Koseff (Washington Post) | Published: 7/26/2026

The Maine Democratic Party formally selected Troy Jackson as its new Senate nominee, ending three tumultuous weeks that nearly derailed the party’s quest to unseat veteran Republican Sen. Susan Collins. Jackson is a 58-year-old logger and former leader of the Maine Senate. He won the nomination by commandeering the progressive movement that had propelled Platner. Jackson’s supporters swept the delegate selection process for a hastily organized convention to choose Platner’s replacement, compelling most of Jackson’s rivals to drop out ahead of the meeting.

Michigan – Lobbying Ban Tackles One Gap in Michigan Ethics and Transparency Laws

MSN – Clara Hendrickson (Detroit Free Press) | Published: 7/28/2026

New laws in Michigan law aim to slow the “revolving door” between holding public office and lobbying, creating a waiting period before state lawmakers, the governor, and other officials can capitalize on their political experience in the private sector. The legislation also prevents current lawmakers from receiving compensation for lobbying activities in Michigan or another state. The laws will take effect January 1, 2027, at the start of a new legislative session.

New Mexico – Loophole Lets Federal PACs Bypass New Mexico Disclosure Rules

New Mexico In Depth – Marjorie Childress | Published: 7/30/2026

As New Mexico voters headed to the polls this spring, mailers promoting a State Land Commissioner candidate began appearing in mailboxes. The mailers came from American Energy Action Fund, a federal super PAC that promotes renewable energy. When the mailers appeared in May, the group had no filing in the state’s campaign finance database. But American Energy was not necessarily required to disclose its spending in the weeks before the primary election because, unlike other political committees, out-of-state groups registered with the FEC do not always have to register with New Mexico or follow its reporting deadlines.

A special election was declared for Montgomery City Council District 3 following the council’s unanimous vote to oust former Councilwoman Marche Johnson for alleged financial fraud. Johnson is suing City Council for the removal, but has not stipulated she would want to be reinstated. The special election will take place on September

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On July 28, the city of Calgary’s City Council passed a proposal to explore the consideration of a lobbyist registry. The council’s Executive Committee’s “notice of motion” application made to the city council requested the council to direct the chief administrative officer and the council’s ethics advisor to conduct a jurisdictional review and report back its results to the Executive Committee by the end of 2026. The report must explore several options for city council’s consideration, including best practices from comparable Canadian municipalities; possible public disclosures requirements, and any accessibility requirements. The council also passed an amendment requiring any proposed registry  also apply to lobbying the council’s senior administrative staff.

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After July 31, the online mechanism for searching for federal Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) reports becomes available at https://lda.gov/system/public, consolidating the search functions from both the U.S. House and U.S. Senate LDA webpages. The LDA reports include lobbying Registrations (LD-1), Quarterly Activity Reports (LD-2), and Contributions Reports (LD-203). The Contributions Reports are filed under section 203 of the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act (HLOGA). The law requires all reports filed under the LDA and HLOGA are made available to the public over the internet. Additional information will still remain available at lobbyingdisclosure.house.gov and disclosure.senate.gov for further LDA guidance, filing deadlines, registration thresholds, frequently asked questions, ADA accommodations, LDA laws and more.

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On August 4, the Wichita City Council will consider increasing the contribution limit to candidates for council from $500 per contributor per election to $2,000. Under state law, a candidate for local office whose jurisdiction has a population of 50,000 or more may not receive more than $2,000 per election per contributor, other than from party committees.  

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Lawmakers passed a bill to include lobbyist employers in the prohibitions against fictitious lobbying practices. Existing law currently prohibits a lobbyist or lobbying firm from attempting to create a fictitious appearance of public favor or disfavor of any proposed legislative or administrative action. A lobbyist or lobbying firm may not cause any communication to be sent to any elected state officer, legislative official, agency official, or state candidate in the name of any fictitious person or in the name of any real person, except with the consent of the real person. Assembly Bill 1736 extends these prohibitions to lobbyist employers and is effective January 1, 2027.

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The U.S. Virgin Islands Legislature met in special session on July 21 at the request of Gov. Bryan to consider Bill 36-0313, concerning a revised horse racing agreement between the U.S. Virgin Islands and Southland Gaming Virgin Islands LLC. After discussion, senators forwarded the bill to the Committee of the Whole for further review, which is next expected to be addressed at a meeting on August 19.

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National/Federal

DOJ’s Subpoenas in Air Force One Probe Included Journalists’ Families, NYT Says

MSN – Cheyanne Daniels and Emilio Perez Ibarguen (Politico) | Published: 7/20/2026

The Trump administration’s attempt to subpoena the phone records of New York Times journalists in a probe about a leak on the security of President Trump’s new Air Force One jet was more extensive than initially disclosed and included journalists’ family members, according to newly unsealed court documents. The subpoenas follow a different set issued earlier in July that sought to compel reporters to testify before a federal grand jury.

Court-Appointed U.S. Attorney for Seattle Sues Over Firing by Trump

MSN – Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) | Published: 7/21/2026

The Seattle region’s court-appointed U.S. attorney, who was abruptly fired by the White House hours after the announcement of his new job, sued the Trump administration, teeing up a consequential legal fight over the president’s power to install loyalists in top prosecutorial roles without Senate approval. It was only the latest instance of the White House moving swiftly to terminate a U.S. attorney appointed by the courts since Donald Trump’s return to the White House last year. But Roger Rogoff’s suit is the first time one of those dismissed prosecutors has launched a legal challenge to their termination.

House Passes Stock-Trading Restrictions for Lawmakers, but Not a Full Ban

MSN – Mariana Alfaro (Washington Post) | Published: 7/22/2026

Following years of demands that members of Congress limit their stock trading, the House passed a bill that would bar lawmakers, their spouses, and dependent children from buying individual stocks but allow them to keep and sell stocks they already own. But the legislation is probably dead-on-arrival in the Senate because House GOP leadership inserted into it an unrelated requirement that voters present photo identification in federal elections, a proposal that is unlikely to gain the needed votes from Senate Democrats.

From the States and Municipalities

California – Over 3 Years, Homeless Nonprofit Paid More than $1.7 Million to Companies Owned by Its Chief Executive

MSN – Andrew Khouri and Alene Tchekmedyian (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 7/22/2026

In recent years, the nonprofit A Step to Freedom has grown rapidly, collecting millions of dollars from the government to house and feed homeless people coming out of jail in Los Angeles County. The expansion enabled A Step to Freedom, run by chief executive Kenya Croom, to help far more people, but it also had another, less visible beneficiary: Croom herself. According to a review of public and internal records, over three years, the nonprofit paid more than $1.7 million to Croom’s two for-profit businesses that provided food for the shelters and, in its most recent tax filings, did not disclose her ties to them as required.

Delaware – Koch-Backed Group Loses Bid to Pause Delaware Campaign Finance Transparency

Spotlight Delaware – Jacob Owens and Matt Butler | Published: 7/20/2026

Since 2012, the Delaware Elections Disclosure Act has mandated that organizations engaging in political advertising in the state must disclose the names and addresses of anyone donating over $100 to their organization nationwide. Americans for Prosperity, a conservative political advocacy group, is seeking to overturn the law and increase its presence in politics ahead of the 2026 elections. But the rules around campaign finance transparency in Delaware are unlikely to change ahead of the September primary elections after a judge denied a conservative foundation’s request for their immediate pause.

Hawaii – Lt. Gov.’s Books Were a Mess. Political Insiders Say It’s Not the Norm

Honolulu Civil Beat – Madeleine Valera | Published: 1/14/2026

A $6,000 donation from an alcoholic beverage wholesaler. A $4,500 payment to a local catering company. Tens of thousands paid to her own campaign staff.  These are just some examples of expenditures that, for years, went unmentioned in Hawaii Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke’s campaign finance disclosures. Whether they were innocent errors or actions taken with criminal intent is now up to state Attorney General Anne Lopez to decide. Several individuals who have worked on Hawaii political campaigns said Luke’s alleged error rate was unacceptable.

Indiana – Ethics Watchdog Hasn’t Met in Years Under Hogsett. One Member Didn’t Know He Was on It.

Yahoo News – Hayleigh Colombo (Indianapolis Star), and Emily Hopkins and Peter Blanchard (Mirror Indy) | Published: 7/21/2026

The little-known Indianapolis Ethics Commission was created to safeguard Marion County residents from public corrupt. The commission is entirely appointed by Mayor Joe Hogsett, who campaigned on ethics reforms in 2015. But for a mayor who touted public integrity as a top priority, his ethics commission has been largely dormant. During Hogsett’s decade in office, the commission has met just once.

New York – Donations to AG James for Trump Defense Diverted Amid Ethics Concerns

WRVO – Jimmy Vielkind (Gothamist) | Published: 7/21/2026

A legal defense fund tapped by Attorney General Letitia James is redirecting some donations after experts said the arrangement is an ethical quagmire. The Democratic Attorneys General Association last year launched a legal defense fund, which has paid nearly $720,000 to lawyers defending James against federal mortgage fraud charges. But the group recently redirected $5,200 from two donors after Gothamist published details about their giving being motivated by a desire to help James.

North Carolina – As Candidate, NC Senator Lobbied for Husband’s Energy Company Amid Federal Probe

Yahoo News – Brian Gordon (Raleigh News & Observer) | Published: 7/14/2026

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) this year accused American Efficient of operating “one of the largest and most brazen fraud schemes” in the agency’s history. The company has a link to North Carolina politics. Benjamin Abram, cofounder of American Efficient and head of its parent Modern Energy, is married to North Carolina Sen. Sophia Chitlik. What has not been previously reported is the lobbying Chitlik did alongside her husband on behalf of American Efficient during the FERC investigation.

Wisconsin – Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez Drops Out of the Governor’s Race

Yahoo News – Adam Edelman (NBC News) | Published: 7/17/2026

Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez dropped out of the governor’s race, just days after her campaign discovered major inaccuracies related to its financial reporting. The decision from Rodriguez, who had been among the front-runners in the Democratic primary, roils a wide-open race for governor in the battleground state. It also prompted at least one former candidate to revive their campaign.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released its audit of federal lobbying compliance for 2025. For the audit, the GAO reviewed a stratified sample of 101 quarterly disclosure reports filed for the third and fourth quarters of calendar year 2024 and the first and second quarters of calendar year 2025. They also reviewed random samples of 160 LD-203 reports for the year-end 2024 and midyear 2025 reports. Among its findings, the GAO concluded 94% of filers of lobbying disclosure reports were able to provide documentation to support reported income and expenses, 7% of LD-203 reports were missing reportable contributions, and for an estimated 80 percent of LD-2s, lobbyists provided documentation for all individuals who engaged in lobbying activities. For 2025, the GAO estimated that about 22 percent of LD-2s may not have properly disclosed covered positions for individual lobbyists listed. This estimate is generalizable to the population of LD-2s and does not represent a statistically significant change from prior years. The 45-page report, which was released on June 30, is titled “2025 Lobbying Disclosure: Observations on Compliance with Requirements.”

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State and Federal Communications is excited to welcome Stephanie Underwood as our new Executive Assistant to President and CEO Elizabeth Bartz. With nearly two decades of executive support experience and a passion for helping leaders succeed, Stephanie brings a wealth of knowledge, organization, and enthusiasm to the team.

Stephanie’s professional journey into executive support began in 2008, but her administrative and creative experience started long before that. While raising her son, she worked part-time in a medical office and served her family’s church, where she managed graphic design, the website, and multimedia efforts, a role she continues to volunteer in today.

As her son grew older, Stephanie transitioned into a full-time corporate career at The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, where she spent 18 years supporting executive leadership. Throughout her career, she discovered a clear professional goal for herself and that was to support a CEO.

“When I moved up through the different levels of being an executive assistant, I knew I always wanted to support a CEO,” Stephanie shared. “Being laid off gave me the opportunity to think about what I really wanted to do next. That journey ultimately led me to State and Federal Communications.”

While she is new to the government relations industry, Stephanie has enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about the field. “It’s opened up a whole new world,” she said. “Working here has given me a different perspective, and I’ve really enjoyed learning about government relations.” Looking ahead, Stephanie hopes to continue growing in her role while supporting Elizabeth Bartz and the company’s mission.

Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys traveling with her husband, John, especially to Scottsdale and Las Vegas, taking cruises, riding motorcycles, and spending time with their son, daughter-in-law, and beloved “granddog”. She looks forward to one day becoming a grandmother to a beloved grandchild as well.

Stephanie’s dedication and commitment to supporting leadership make her a wonderful addition to the State and Federal Communications team. We are excited to have her on board and look forward to all she will accomplish.

Please join us in welcoming Stephanie to the State and Federal Communications family!

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