May 27, 2025 •
Expense Limits Updated for Third Party Political Activities in Canadian Federal Elections

On May 27, 2025, Elections Canada published the updated limits on expenses for regulated activities of third parties involved in federal elections in Canada. The Canada Elections Act imposes a limit on expenses a third party can incur for regulated […]
On May 27, 2025, Elections Canada published the updated limits on expenses for regulated activities of third parties involved in federal elections in Canada. The Canada Elections Act imposes a limit on expenses a third party can incur for regulated political activities.
For an election called on or after April 1, 2025, and before April 1, 2026 , a third party is prohibited from incurring overall election advertising expenses of a total amount of more than $617,400 during a general election. The previous limit was $602,700. For the same period of April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, a third party is prohibited from incurring election advertising expenses in a given electoral district of a total amount of more than $5,292 during a general election. The previous limit was $5,166.
Adjustments are made annually based on a formula of a base amount multiplied by the inflation adjustment factor in effect for the period.
Want to keep up with lobbying, procurement, and corporate contribution compliance internationally? We have you covered. Learn more here.
May 23, 2025 •
Missouri Legislature Adjourns Sine Die

The first regular session of the 103rd General Assembly adjourned on May 15. Lawmakers passed a total of 67 bills this year, 16 of which were budget bills. Last year’s total was 46. Among the bills awaiting the governor’s signature […]
The first regular session of the 103rd General Assembly adjourned on May 15. Lawmakers passed a total of 67 bills this year, 16 of which were budget bills. Last year’s total was 46. Among the bills awaiting the governor’s signature is Senate Bill 152, banning foreign spending on ballot issue campaigns. The bill also prohibits committees from knowingly receiving, soliciting, or accepting contributions or expenditures from a prohibited source, defined as contributions from or expenditures by a foreign national made with the intent to use such funds to influence an election on a ballot measure. The bill also requires committees to file a certificate declaring no preliminary activity was funded, directly or indirectly, by a prohibited source.
May 23, 2025 •
Minnesota Legislature Adjourns Sine Die

The 94th session of the Minnesota Legislature adjourned sine die on May 19. Lawmakers adjourned on the constitutionally prescribed final day with the budget incomplete. With the next fiscal biennium beginning on July 1, the Legislature must approve all budget […]
The 94th session of the Minnesota Legislature adjourned sine die on May 19. Lawmakers adjourned on the constitutionally prescribed final day with the budget incomplete. With the next fiscal biennium beginning on July 1, the Legislature must approve all budget bills and have them signed by the governor before midnight on June 30 to keep state government open for business. Gov. Walz announced he will call a special session when lawmakers have reached a consensus, but warned pushing the session beyond June 1 would mean state employees have to begin preparing for a possible government shutdown. The House ended its session by choosing not to suspend rules to consider Senate File 856, which would create the Office of the Inspector General.
Monitor your registration thresholds by state, by referring to our easy to navigate online guidebooks. Request a web tour to learn more.
May 23, 2025 •
News You Can Use Digest – May 23, 2025

National/Federal With Comey Questioning, the Trump Administration Again Targets Speech MSN – Mark Berman, Patrick Marley, and Perry Stein (Washington Post) | Published: 5/17/2025 After James Comey posted a photograph of shells on a beach arranged to spell “86 47” – a […]
National/Federal
With Comey Questioning, the Trump Administration Again Targets Speech
MSN – Mark Berman, Patrick Marley, and Perry Stein (Washington Post) | Published: 5/17/2025
After James Comey posted a photograph of shells on a beach arranged to spell “86 47” – a reference to President Trump, the 47th president – the former FBI director said he believed the image was a political message. But Trump administration officials said Comey had committed a crime and should be jailed. Legal experts said they doubted Comey’s post would qualify as a genuine threat. Instead, they said the incident appeared to mark the latest attempt by the administration to criminalize or otherwise punish people for speech, protests, and other actions traditionally viewed as legally protected in the United States.
Former President Joe Biden Diagnosed with Aggressive Prostate Cancer
MSN – Naftali Bendavid, Mariana Alfaro, Joel Achenbach, and Matt Viser (Washington Post) | Published: 5/18/2025
Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, his office said, adding that Biden’s family is deciding on treatment options for a condition it said can be managed. The publication of new books this year has reopened impassioned debate among prominent Democrats about Biden’s decision to run for reelection, his mental and physical fitness as he served and sought a second term, and whether his inner circle hid health news from the party and the public.
Trump Justice Dept. Considers Removing Key Check on Lawmaker Prosecutions
MSN – Perry Stein and Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) | Published: 5/18/2025
Federal prosecutors across the country may soon be able to indict members of Congress without approval from lawyers in the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section, according to three people familiar with a proposal. Under the proposal, investigators and prosecutors would also not be required to consult with the section’s attorneys during key steps of probes into public officials, altering a long-standing provision in the Justice Department’s manual that outlines how investigations of elected officials should be conducted.
Retired 4-Star Navy Admiral Found Guilty in Bribery Case
MSN – Ellen Mitchell (The Hill) | Published: 5/19/2025
Retired Admiral Robert Burke, a former Navy vice chief of naval operations, was found guilty of bribery and other counts related to steering work to a company in exchange for a job after leaving the service. His conviction makes him the senior-most member of the U.S. military ever found guilty of committing a federal crime while serving on active duty. The Navy in the past several years has struggled with a loss of confidence in numerous top officers, command failures, and bribery scandals.
Supreme Court Recusals in Book Publisher Case Affect Quorum
MSN – Justin Jouvenal (Washington Post) | Published: 5/19/2025
Four Supreme Court justices recused themselves from a decision over whether to hear a case involving the parent company of their book publisher, the most significant action of its kind since the court adopted a new ethics code in 2023. An expert in court ethics said the recusals were probably because a German conglomerate that is a party in the case owns Penguin Random House, which has paid the justices millions in advances and royalties for their published works.
Will Federal Funding Cuts Spell the End for History Documentaries?
MSN – Sonia Rao (Washington Post) | Published: 5/20/2025
It is notoriously difficult for documentaries to find financing, especially those outside of the celebrity or true-crime genres. The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has for decades been one of the most reliable sources of funding. But hundreds of NEH grant recipients were told their funding was being terminated because it “no longer effectuates the agency’s needs and priorities.” Filmmakers and executives at leading documentary organizations were alarmed by the sudden terminations. Some worry that history documentaries, which can take years to produce, could become a long-term casualty of the cuts.
U.S. to Pay Nearly $5 Million to Family of Jan. 6 Rioter Ashli Babbitt
MSN – Spencer Hsu (Washington Post) | Published: 5/19/2025
The Trump administration will pay nearly $5 million to the family of Ashli Babbitt, the Trump supporter who was shot and killed while in the mob breaching the House Speaker’s Lobby on January 6, 2021. Babbitt’s family filed the wrongful death lawsuit in 2024, seeking $30 million. The settlement comes after Trump returned to office casting Babbitt as a martyr and seeking to rewrite the history of the assault as a heroic act of collective patriotism. It reverses the Justice Department’s earlier opposition in the case, which had been set for trial next year.
FBI Folds the Public Corruption Squad That Aided Jack Smith’s Trump Investigations
MSN – Ryan Reilly (NBC News) | Published: 5/15/2025
The FBI is folding its public corruption squad, the same unit which aided Jack Smith’s special counsel investigation into Donald Trump. That investigation ultimately resulted in one of the two federal criminal cases against Trump, both of which were dropped after the 2024 election. Earlier this year, the Justice Department slashed its Public Integrity Section, which had also worked on public corruption cases.
A Federal Agency Goes Full Trumpist
Politico – John Hendel (Politico) | Published: 5/19/2025
Four months into his tenure as head of America’s top communications regulator, Brendan Carr appears to be running a Trumpian playbook to transform a long-independent agency. Immediately after being promoted to lead the Federal Communications Commission. As he picks norm-busting fights with the mainstream media, Carr is more quietly delivering on big deregulation promises to business interests. These moves are less headline-grabbing, but possibly more transformational.
Bondi Sold Millions in Trump Media Stock the Day He Imposed Vast Tariffs
Seattle Times – Glenn Thrush (New York Times) | Published: 5/15/2025
Attorney General Pam Bondi sold $1 million to $5 million worth of shares in President Trump’s media company last month on the same day he announced expansive tariffs that led to a stock market rout, according to disclosure filings. Federal officials are barred from using inside information about government or private-sector actions to enrich themselves. In practice, such cases are rare and difficult to prove and while Bondi’s timing was notable, Trump had made it clear he intended to impose strict tariffs to address the nation’s trade imbalances.
From the States and Municipalities
Canada – Ford’s Former Top Staffer Broke Lobbying Rules: Integrity commissioner
CBC – Allison Jones | Published: 5/16/2025
Ontario’s integrity commissioner says a former top staffer to Premier Doug Ford broke lobbying rules. Amin Massoudi now runs Atlas Strategic Advisors but previously served as Ford’s principal secretary until 2022. Integrity Commissioner Cathryn Motherwell’s office said Massoudi failed to comply with lobbying rules during a phone call in 2023.
Canada – City of Winnipeg’s Voluntary Lobbyist Registry Sees Declining Enrolment Since Launch
CBC – Cameron MacLean | Published: 5/16/2025
Fewer people are adding their names to Winnipeg’s lobbyist registry, a tool created to increase transparency around who is trying to influence decision-makers at City Hall. The city launched its lobbyist registry in 2017 to track who is meeting with city council members and staff, but the council lacked the power to make registration mandatory for lobbyists.
Arizona – Arizona Bid to Light Up Political Dark Money Blasted as Invasion of Privacy
Courthouse News Service – Joe Duhownik | Published: 5/15/2025
A conservative advocacy group told a federal appeals court that an Arizona law intended to shed light on dark money in campaign finance violates donor privacy. The Voters Right to Know Act requires statewide campaigns that spend more than $50,000 in advocacy to disclose the names of donors who gave more than $5,000, even if that contribution is not directly connected to the cause.
Arizona – Judge Deals Blow to Arizona Case Over 2020 Republican Electors
MSN – Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 5/19/2025
An Arizona judge ordered state prosecutors to send back to a grand jury a case in which Republicans were charged last year for their alleged roles in trying to overturn the 2020 election, potentially jeopardizing the high-profile indictments. Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Sam Myers sided with the Republicans and found prosecutors failed to provide the grand jury with the text of an 1887 federal law that is central to the defense. The law, known as the Electoral Count Act, spells out how presidential electoral votes are to be cast and counted.
California – Google’s $125 Million Deal with California for Local News Is Already Shrinking
MSN – Jeanne Kuang (CalMatters) | Published: 5/16/2025
A controversial $125 million deal California struck with Google last year to prop up the state’s struggling journalism industry is already on track to shrink before any of the money has been delivered to news outlets. The deal committed California and Google to each put tens of millions of dollars into a fund to be distributed to local news outlets over five years. In exchange, lawmakers scrapped two proposals that sought to force Google and its tech counterparts to pay outlets for using their published content.
Kansas – Kansas Abortion Rights Advocacy Group Sues State Officials Over Law Banning Foreign Contributions
Yahoo News – Anna Kaminski (Kansas Reflector) | Published: 5/19/2025
A Kansas reproductive rights advocacy group sued state officials A Kansas reproductive rights advocacy group sued state officials over a new law banning contributions from “foreign nationals” to support or oppose constitutional amendments. Kansans for Constitutional Freedom argued House Bill 2106, which is set to go into effect July 1, is broad, vague, and unconstitutional. The group said the bill inhibits its ability to advocate for or against future constitutional amendments. Kansans for Constitutional Freedom and its donors have received contributions from foreign nationals, the lawsuit said.
Michigan – Lawmakers Extend Their Financial Disclosure Deadline Due to Benson’s Buggy Website
MSN – Michael Kransz (MLive) | Published: 5/14/2025
Because of technical hiccups with Michigan’s new campaign finance portal, state lawmakers approved giving themselves a one-month deadline extension to file their financial disclosures this year. The legislation will also allow financial forms to be submitted via email rather than the new portal, require additional disclosures around a politician’s assets and create a new form for these disclosures. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the changes into law.
Michigan – AG: Benson gubernatorial announcement in public building violated campaign finance act
Yahoo News – Ben Solis (Michigan Advance) | Published: 5/19/2025
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s use of a government building – one that houses the department she oversees – to announce her candidacy for governor violated Michigan’s campaign finance laws, the state attorney general’s office said. But the department noted it did not have the authority to impose any civil or criminal penalties outlined in the law.
Mississippi – In Mississippi’s Capital City, Indicted District Attorney Flouts Campaign Disclosure Laws
Marshall Project – Caleb Bedillion | Published: 5/12/2025
Jody Owens, the district attorney in Mississippi’s capital city who faces trial on federal corruption charges, has been fined for failing to disclose his most recent campaign fundraising and spending. But the state’s weak and much-criticized campaign finance enforcement system may spare him from the strongest sanctions, the loss of his government salary. Owens was charged with disguising bribes to city officials as campaign donations to buy favors and steer influence over a fictitious real-estate development project for which he was working as a consultant.
New Jersey – Rep. LaMonica McIver to Be Charged in New Jersey ICE Clash, Justice Dept. Says
MSN – Perry Stein, Jeremy Roebuck, and Liz Goodwin (Washington Post) | Published: 5/19/2025
The Justice Department said it would charge a Democratic member of Congress whom authorities have accused of assaulting law enforcement officials during a confrontation outside an immigration detention center in Newark. Rep. LaMonica McIverwill be charged with assaulting, resisting, and impeding law enforcement officers, said Alina Habba, the interim U.S. attorney for New Jersey. In a statement, Habba also announced her office would dismiss the trespassing charge it filed against Newark Mayor Ras Baraka over the same incident.
New York – Mysterious New Group’s Likely Mission: Restoring Cuomo to office
DNyuz – Dana Rubinstein and Nicholas Fandos (New York Times) | Published: 5/16/2025
An informal adviser to former Gov. Andrew Cuomo formed a new outside group that appears designed to boost his campaign for New York City mayor. Restore Sanity NYC is registered as a nonprofit that claims to be engaged primarily in issue advocacy. That legal status means the group cannot directly campaign for a candidate without running afoul of the law. But it can still raise and spend unlimited sums influencing public opinion, all without disclosing its donors until after the election.
North Carolina – Guilty Pleas Revealed in Sons of Confederate Veterans Campaign Finance Case
MSN – Dan Kane (Raleigh News and Observer) | Published: 5/20/2025
The State Board of Elections revealed its first criminal convictions – two guilty pleas to a misdemeanor charge – in the six years after North Carolina lawmakers made campaign finance investigations secret. That outcome drew little praise from a campaign finance watchdog whose complaint to the elections board prompted the case. He says it took too long and resulted in too little.
North Dakota – North Dakota Governor Issues 7 Line-item Vetoes, Including Lawmaker ‘Immunity’ Provision
Yahoo News – Mary Steurer, Amy Dalrymple, and Michael Achterling (North Dakota Monitor) | Published: 5/19/2025
North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong issued seven line-item vetoes on six bills, with many objections focused on policies he felt lawmakers “shoehorned” into budget bills or encroached on executive authority. One line-item veto was of a section of the state Ethics Commission’s budget bill meant to protect lawmakers from being prosecuted for conflicts-of-interest, though he let a similar clause in the bill become law.
Pennsylvania – Top Pa. Lawmakers Took $119K in Gifts, Trips, and More from Those Seeking to Influence Them in 2024
Centre Daily Times – Stephen Caruso and Katie Meyer (Spotlight PA) | Published: 5/19/2025
Top Pennsylvania politicians accepted roughly $119,000 in gifts and hospitality from groups seeking to influence government last year, including several pricey trips to Israel and Taiwan. State law places no limits on what lobbyists and other interested parties can give to commonwealth employees or holders of public office. The only requirement is that they report any gift worth more than $250, and any travel, meals, and lodging worth more than $650.
Rhode Island – Ciccone Can Vote on Assault Weapons Ban, Other Gun Bills, R.I. Ethics Panel Says
Rhode Island Current – Nancy Lavin | Published: 5/20/2025
Senate Majority Leader Frank Ciccone’s side business selling guns out of his house does not prevent him from discussing and voting on an assault-style weapons ban or other gun legislation, the Rhode Island Ethics Commission decided. The advisory opinion invoked the class exemption within the state ethics code, reasoning that Ciccone does not stand to benefit, or suffer, any more or less from state gun laws than the other 98 federally licensed firearms dealers in the state, including the other 79 with a Class 1 license.
Tennessee – Former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada, Ex-Aide, Guilty in Federal Corruption Case
Yahoo News – Sam Stockard (Tennessee Lookout) | Published: 5/16/2025
A jury found former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada guilty on 17 of 19 charges and his former chief of staff Cade Cothren guilty on all charges in a high-profile corruption case. Casada and Cothren were accused of setting up a company called Phoenix Solutions that tapped into the state’s postage and printing program that provides House members $3,000 a year for constituent mailers. Casada and former Rep. Robin Smith steered lawmakers’ business to the company, which was secretly run by Cothren.
ProPublica – Lexi Churchill | Published: 5/16/2025
Texas lawmakers are pushing to impose steep penalties on local governments that do not post campaign finance reports online, after an investigation by ProPublica and the Texas Tribune found some school districts were not doing so. The initial posting requirements, designed to make election spending more transparent, went into effect nearly two years ago. Most of the school district leaders said they had no idea they were out of compliance until the newsrooms contacted them.
Do you know if your activities are defined as lobbying? We do. Take a walkthrough demo of our guidebooks today.

Representatives from the Michigan Department of State (MDOS), Tyler Technologies, and the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget (DTMB) testified at a joint committee hearing regarding issues with the Michigan Transparency Network (MiTN) platform. MiTN is the state’s new […]
Representatives from the Michigan Department of State (MDOS), Tyler Technologies, and the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget (DTMB) testified at a joint committee hearing regarding issues with the Michigan Transparency Network (MiTN) platform. MiTN is the state’s new consolidated online reporting system for personal financial disclosure, campaign finance, lobbying, and legal defense fund information. The hearing was called after lawmakers had trouble filing their financial disclosure reports and approved a one-month extension for their deadline. MDOS and Tyler Technologies are now working to implement substantial improvements by the filing deadline for candidate committees on July 25. As part of the department’s continuing commitment to transparency, MDOS has launched a new webpage to track existing technical issues, recent fixes, and FAQs for each MiTN module at https://www.michigan.gov/sos/elections/disclosure/mitn-information.
Never miss a lobbying compliance deadline. Sign up for our online guidebooks today!
May 21, 2025 •
Alaska Legislature Adjourns Sine Die

The 34th session of the Legislature adjourned sine die on May 20. Lawmakers ended the session without completing work on campaign finance and election bills. House Bill 16 limits contributions from individuals to $2,000 in donations per candidate in each […]
The 34th session of the Legislature adjourned sine die on May 20. Lawmakers ended the session without completing work on campaign finance and election bills. House Bill 16 limits contributions from individuals to $2,000 in donations per candidate in each two-year election cycle, while the Senate Bill 64 makes various changes to absentee voting. Both bills are expected to rollover to next year’s legislative session. This does affect lobbying reporting. The final monthly legislative lobbyist report is due June 30.
Are you able to track all legislative sessions in the states where you do business? Our online guidebooks make it easy, request a demo today!
May 21, 2025 •
Wednesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Kansas: “Kansas Abortion Rights Advocacy Group Sues State Officials Over Law Banning Foreign Contributions” by Anna Kaminski (Kansas Reflector) for Yahoo News Michigan: “AG: Benson gubernatorial announcement in public building violated campaign finance act” by Ben Solis (Michigan Advance) for Yahoo News […]
Campaign Finance
Kansas: “Kansas Abortion Rights Advocacy Group Sues State Officials Over Law Banning Foreign Contributions” by Anna Kaminski (Kansas Reflector) for Yahoo News
Michigan: “AG: Benson gubernatorial announcement in public building violated campaign finance act” by Ben Solis (Michigan Advance) for Yahoo News
North Carolina: “Guilty Pleas Revealed in Sons of Confederate Veterans Campaign Finance Case” by Dan Kane (Raleigh News and Observer) for MSN
Elections
Arizona: “Judge Deals Blow to Arizona Case Over 2020 Republican Electors” by Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Patrick Marley (Washington Post) for MSN
Ethics
National: “Retired 4-Star Navy Admiral Found Guilty in Bribery Case” by Ellen Mitchell (The Hill) for MSN
National: “Will Federal Funding Cuts Spell the End for History Documentaries?” by Sonia Rao (Washington Post) for MSN
New Jersey: “Rep. LaMonica McIver to Be Charged in New Jersey ICE Clash, Justice Dept. Says” by Perry Stein, Jeremy Roebuck, and Liz Goodwin (Washington Post) for MSN
North Dakota: “North Dakota Governor Issues 7 Line-item Vetoes, Including Lawmaker ‘Immunity’ Provision” by Mary Steurer, Amy Dalrymple, and Michael Achterling (North Dakota Monitor) for Yahoo News
Rhode Island: “Ciccone Can Vote on Assault Weapons Ban, Other Gun Bills, R.I. Ethics Panel Says” by Nancy Lavin for Rhode Island Current

Earlier this month, the Commissioner of Lobbying for Canada, Nancy Bélanger, reiterated some of her office’s proposed modifications to Canada’s current lobbying law. Speaking at a webinar on May 13 for the Public Affairs Association of Canada, Saskatchewan Chapter, Bélanger […]
Earlier this month, the Commissioner of Lobbying for Canada, Nancy Bélanger, reiterated some of her office’s proposed modifications to Canada’s current lobbying law. Speaking at a webinar on May 13 for the Public Affairs Association of Canada, Saskatchewan Chapter, Bélanger reportedly talked about a proposal to remove the “significant part of duties” registration threshold, known as the 20% rule, for in-house lobbyists and replace it with an obligation to register lobbying activities by default, with limited exceptions. Other proposals being considered by Bélanger’s office include making reporting requirements the same for all in-house lobbyist registrations; deeming paid members of boards of directors to be employees of corporations and organizations; and harmonizing the registration deadline for consultant and in-house lobbyists to 15 days.
Bélanger has stated that she intends to issue new guidance on how the Lobbying Act should be interpreted.
Want to keep up with lobbying, procurement, and corporate contribution compliance internationally? We have you covered. Learn more here.
May 20, 2025 •
Tuesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance New York: “Mysterious New Group’s Likely Mission: Restoring Cuomo to office” by Dana Rubinstein and Nicholas Fandos (New York Times) for DNyuz Ethics California: “Google’s $125 Million Deal with California for Local News Is Already Shrinking” by Jeanne Kuang (CalMatters) for MSN […]
Campaign Finance
New York: “Mysterious New Group’s Likely Mission: Restoring Cuomo to office” by Dana Rubinstein and Nicholas Fandos (New York Times) for DNyuz
Ethics
California: “Google’s $125 Million Deal with California for Local News Is Already Shrinking” by Jeanne Kuang (CalMatters) for MSN
National: “Trump Justice Dept. Considers Removing Key Check on Lawmaker Prosecutions” by Perry Stein and Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) for MSN
National: “A Federal Agency Goes Full Trumpist” by John Hendel (Politico) for Politico
National: “U.S. to Pay Nearly $5 Million to Family of Jan. 6 Rioter Ashli Babbitt” by Spencer Hsu (Washington Post) for MSN
Pennsylvania: “Top Pa. Lawmakers Took $119K in Gifts, Trips, and More from Those Seeking to Influence Them in 2024” by Stephen Caruso and Katie Meyer (Spotlight PA) for Centre Daily Times
Tennessee: “Former TN House Speaker Glen Casada, Aide Cade Cothren Found Guilty of Corruption, Face 20 Years in Prison” by Evan Mealins and Kelly Puente (Nashville Tennessean) for MSN
Lobbying
Canada: “City of Winnipeg’s Voluntary Lobbyist Registry Sees Declining Enrolment Since Launch” by Cameron MacLean for CBC
Stay up to date with all state and federal lobbying laws. Sign up for our online guidebooks and never miss a compliance law change.
May 19, 2025 •
Kansas State Representative Resigns From Position

Flag of Kansas
State Rep. Patrick Penn recently turned in his resignation. The notice did not explain why he would exit the Legislature six months after winning reelection to a two-year term. Penn, a Republican, represents House District 85, which covers parts of […]
State Rep. Patrick Penn recently turned in his resignation. The notice did not explain why he would exit the Legislature six months after winning reelection to a two-year term. Penn, a Republican, represents House District 85, which covers parts of Wichita, Bel Aire, Benton, and various other townships. A precinct election has been scheduled and will be held on May 28.
May 19, 2025 •
Hawaii Governor Signs Various Bills Pertaining to Lobbying

Gov. Green signed multiple bills related to lobbying. House Bill 413 clarifies lobbyist contributions are prohibited in periods during which both chambers are in session. House Bill 412 establishes certain presumptions regarding lobbying on behalf of private clients; makes contracts […]
Gov. Green signed multiple bills related to lobbying. House Bill 413 clarifies lobbyist contributions are prohibited in periods during which both chambers are in session. House Bill 412 establishes certain presumptions regarding lobbying on behalf of private clients; makes contracts voidable when entered into in violation of the state lobbying law under certain conditions; and expands the definition of lobbying to include certain communications with government officials regarding procurement decisions. Senate Bill 289 establishes uniform provisions for the assessment of administrative penalties under the State Ethics Code and Lobbyist Law. House Bill 413 and Senate Bill 289 are effective immediately. House Bill 412 will take effect January 1, 2027.
May 19, 2025 •
Monday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Mississippi: “In Mississippi’s Capital City, Indicted District Attorney Flouts Campaign Disclosure Laws” by Caleb Bedillion for Marshall Project Rhode Island: “‘I Was Wrong.’ Former R.I. Senate Candidate Resolves Campaign Finance Violations After Court Plea.” by Nancy Lavin (Rhode Island Current) for Yahoo […]
Campaign Finance
Mississippi: “In Mississippi’s Capital City, Indicted District Attorney Flouts Campaign Disclosure Laws” by Caleb Bedillion for Marshall Project
Rhode Island: “‘I Was Wrong.’ Former R.I. Senate Candidate Resolves Campaign Finance Violations After Court Plea.” by Nancy Lavin (Rhode Island Current) for Yahoo News
Texas: “Texas Lawmakers Push to Enforce Election Transparency Law After Newsrooms Found School Districts Failed to Comply” by Lexi Churchill for ProPublica
Ethics
National: “FBI Folds the Public Corruption Squad That Aided Jack Smith’s Trump Investigations” by Ryan Reilly (NBC News) for MSN
National: “With Comey Questioning, the Trump Administration Again Targets Speech” by Mark Berman, Patrick Marley, and Perry Stein (Washington Post) for MSN
Michigan: “Lawmakers Extend Their Financial Disclosure Deadline Due to Benson’s Buggy Website” by Michael Kransz (MLive) for MSN
National: “Former President Joe Biden Diagnosed with Aggressive Prostate Cancer” by Naftali Bendavid, Mariana Alfaro, Joel Achenbach, and Matt Viser (Washington Post) for MSN
Lobbying
Canada: “Ford’s Former Top Staffer Broke Lobbying Rules: Integrity commissioner” by Allison Jones for CBC

Georgia State Flag
The governor signed Senate Bill 199, which will remove the requirement for legislative lobbyists to submit semi-monthly reports while the General Assembly is in session. Instead, lobbyists will be required to submit a single report due on the fifth of […]
The governor signed Senate Bill 199, which will remove the requirement for legislative lobbyists to submit semi-monthly reports while the General Assembly is in session. Instead, lobbyists will be required to submit a single report due on the fifth of each month. This requirement matches the reporting requirements for lobbyists who seek to influence local governments, state agencies, and the State Transportation Board. This bill will come into effect on January 1, 2026. Until then all lobbyists are still required to submit reports on the current schedule. Additionally, Senate Bill 199 modifies the PAC reporting due dates to January 31, April 30, July 31, and October 20 of each year until the bank account has been zeroed out and the PAC has been terminated.
May 16, 2025 •
Alabama Legislature Adjourns Sine Die

The Alabama Legislature adjourned sine die May 14 amid a lengthy filibuster. Lawmakers were unable to pass a number of bills due to friction across the aisle. One of the few bills to make it to the governor and singed […]
The Alabama Legislature adjourned sine die May 14 amid a lengthy filibuster. Lawmakers were unable to pass a number of bills due to friction across the aisle. One of the few bills to make it to the governor and singed was a bill changing the date of the presidential primary from the fourth Tuesday in May to the second Tuesday in May.
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.