January 5, 2017 •
Denver City Council Amends Lobbying Ordinance
Denver City Council approved a bill this week amending the city’s lobbying ordinance. Council Bill No. CB16-0920 narrows the definition of lobbying and changes registration and reporting requirements. Lobbying no longer includes appearances to give public testimony at council hearings […]
Denver City Council approved a bill this week amending the city’s lobbying ordinance. Council Bill No. CB16-0920 narrows the definition of lobbying and changes registration and reporting requirements.
Lobbying no longer includes appearances to give public testimony at council hearings or at the request of public officials or employees. Additionally, instead of renewing a registration each year on the registrant’s anniversary date, every lobbyist will be required to renew his or her registration annually by January 15.
Lobbyists are also now required to file bi-monthly reports. Such reports must include an itemized list and the estimated value of all gifts, entertainment, and direct or indirect expenditures to, on behalf of, or benefiting a covered official for lobbying purposes. The changes are effective immediately.
Procurement Lobbying Compliance Laws for Government Relations Professionals, focuses solely on corporate compliance related to procurement lobbying, and is of particular importance as federal, state, and local governments purchase trillions of dollars of goods and services. This online publication presents […]
Procurement Lobbying Compliance Laws for Government Relations Professionals, focuses solely on corporate compliance related to procurement lobbying, and is of particular importance as federal, state, and local governments purchase trillions of dollars of goods and services.
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January 5, 2017 •
Indiana Bill To Ban Gifts From Lobbyists
Sen. Mike Delph introduced a bill prohibiting Indiana legislators from accepting gifts from lobbyists. The gift ban would include any property with value, including sporting event tickets and anything classified as entertainment. Along with the gift ban, the bill would […]
Sen. Mike Delph introduced a bill prohibiting Indiana legislators from accepting gifts from lobbyists. The gift ban would include any property with value, including sporting event tickets and anything classified as entertainment.
Along with the gift ban, the bill would require lobbyists to keep a log of all communication between a lobbyist and legislator, or employees of the general assembly, about a legislative matter. The log would be public record and filed weekly. If passed, the bill would be effective January 1, 2018.
January 5, 2017 •
Thursday Government Relations News Roundup
Lobbying Florida: “Ron Book Is Big Winner in Local Government Lobbying Contracts” by Steve Bousquet for Miami Herald Indiana: “State Senator Introduces Ethics Bill to Ban All Gifts from Lobbyists” by Bob Segall for WTHR Campaign Finance “Rep. Duncan Hunter’s […]
Lobbying
Florida: “Ron Book Is Big Winner in Local Government Lobbying Contracts” by Steve Bousquet for Miami Herald
Indiana: “State Senator Introduces Ethics Bill to Ban All Gifts from Lobbyists” by Bob Segall for WTHR
Campaign Finance
“Rep. Duncan Hunter’s Team Responds to Uproar Over Rabbit Expenses” by Michael Walsh for Yahoo News
Ethics
“Trump’s Agenda Would Boost His Bottom Line” by Darren Samuelsohn for Politico
Montana: “Montana Fails to Retain Decades of Emails Despite Open Government Law” by Jayme Fraser for The Missoulian
Oregon: “Two of Kate Brown’s Staffers Resign Following Conflict of Interest Questions” by Hillary Borrud for The Oregonian
South Carolina: “South Carolina’s Pending Ethics Commission Isn’t All That Independent, Experts Say” by Maya Prabhu for The Post and Courier
Elections
“It Started with a Retiree. Now the Women’s March Could Be the Biggest Inauguration Demonstration.” by Ben Stein and Sandhya Somashekhar for The Washington Post
Virginia: “The GOP Race for Lieutenant Governor Is Getting Ugly in Virginia” by Laura Vozzella for The Washington Post
Wisconsin: “One Person, One Algorithm, One Vote: Campaigns are doing more with data, for better or worse” by Katelyn Farrell for The Capital Times
Legislative Issues
Pennsylvania: “Pennsylvania House Revises Rules for Expelling Members” by Karen Langley for Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
January 4, 2017 •
Cruz and DeSantis Propose Term Limit Constitutional Amendment
On January 3, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis proposed an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to impose term limits on members of Congress. The amendment would limit Senators to two six-year terms and House members to […]
On January 3, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis proposed an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to impose term limits on members of Congress. The amendment would limit Senators to two six-year terms and House members to three two-year terms.
In a press release, Cruz states, “The time is now for Congress, with the overwhelming support of the American people, to submit this constitutional amendment to the states for speedy ratification.”
The election of a person filling a vacancy in the House would be counted as one term if the person fills the vacancy for more than one year. In the Senate, the vacancy would have to be filled for more than three years to be counted.
January 4, 2017 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Lobbying Maryland: “Interim City Solicitor Pays Rent to Powerful Lobbyist’s Firm” by Doug Donovan for Baltimore Sun Nevada: “Nevada High School Students Learn the Legislative Ropes and Pass Real Laws” by Sandra Chereb for Las Vegas Review-Journal Campaign Finance California: […]
Lobbying
Maryland: “Interim City Solicitor Pays Rent to Powerful Lobbyist’s Firm” by Doug Donovan for Baltimore Sun
Nevada: “Nevada High School Students Learn the Legislative Ropes and Pass Real Laws” by Sandra Chereb for Las Vegas Review-Journal
Campaign Finance
California: “Political Donations Flow as Rick Caruso Seeks Approval for a 20-Story Tower Near the Beverly Center” by David Zahniser for Los Angeles Times
Ethics
“House GOP Reverses Course on Gutting Ethics Panel” by Rachel Bade for Politico
Indiana: “Critics Want Tighter Restrictions on Post-Legislative Work” by Hayleigh Colombo for Indianapolis Business Journal
Montana: “Political Practices Commissioner to Remain in Office for Now” by Matt Volz (Associated Press) for The Missoulian
Oklahoma: “Oklahoma House Has Sketchy Recent History with Policing Its Own” by Barbara Hoberock for Tulsa World
Texas: “Senator Goes for Low-Hanging Fruit in Ethics Reform” by Jay Root for Texas Tribune
Elections
Minnesota: “In Minneapolis City Council Races, So Far There’s Left, and Further Left” by Adam Betz for Minneapolis Star Tribune
Legislative Issues
Maine: “1-Sentence Draft Bills Criticized for Lack of Transparency” by Marina Villeneuve (Associated Press) for Fairfield Citizen
January 3, 2017 •
North Carolina Challenges Redistricting Ruling
On Friday, North Carolina filed an emergency motion with the U.S. Supreme Court to issue a stay on the federal appeals court ruling that North Carolina must hold special elections in November 2017 for General Assembly seats in unconstitutionally gerrymandered […]
On Friday, North Carolina filed an emergency motion with the U.S. Supreme Court to issue a stay on the federal appeals court ruling that North Carolina must hold special elections in November 2017 for General Assembly seats in unconstitutionally gerrymandered districts.
The legislature would need to redraw districts by mid-March to comply with the ruling. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts set the deadline for a response in the case for January 9, 2017.
January 3, 2017 •
Maryland District 20 Seat Soon to be Vacant
The District 20 seat will soon be vacant when Congressman-elect James Raskin (D) transfers to Washington, D.C. and Delegate Will Smith (D) fills Raskin’s position in the Maryland Senate. Two public forums will be held by the Montgomery County Democratic […]
The District 20 seat will soon be vacant when Congressman-elect James Raskin (D) transfers to Washington, D.C. and Delegate Will Smith (D) fills Raskin’s position in the Maryland Senate.
Two public forums will be held by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee in January to recommend one of the six candidates pursuing the spot. Gov. Larry Hogan has 30 days to make the appointment based on the recommendations of the party committee.
January 3, 2017 •
Reno Lobbying Law Takes Effect
A new lobbying law took effect on January 1, 2017, requiring lobbyists to register with the city clerk, to inform the city of their clients, and to wear lobbyist badges when in City Hall. The ordinance also includes civil and […]
A new lobbying law took effect on January 1, 2017, requiring lobbyists to register with the city clerk, to inform the city of their clients, and to wear lobbyist badges when in City Hall.
The ordinance also includes civil and criminal penalties for registration violations. The Registration and Regulation of Lobbyists ordinance adopted by the Reno City Council on October 12, 2016, is the first law requiring lobbyist registration in the City of Reno.
January 3, 2017 •
Trump Tweets Tumble House Ethics Change Proposal
Following a rebuke in a series of tweets from President-elect Donald J. Trump and negative public reaction, the vote yesterday by the House Republican Conference to weaken the Office of Congressional Ethics has been reversed. This morning Trump tweeted, “With […]
Following a rebuke in a series of tweets from President-elect Donald J. Trump and negative public reaction, the vote yesterday by the House Republican Conference to weaken the Office of Congressional Ethics has been reversed.
This morning Trump tweeted, “With all that Congress has to work on, do they really have to make the weakening of the Independent Ethics Watchdog, as unfair as it may be, their number one act and priority. Focus on tax reform, healthcare and so many other things of far greater importance! #DTS.” The hashtag #DTS is recognized to stand for the term “drain the swamp.”
House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy offered a motion to restore the current OCE rules, which was accepted by the conference, according to Politico. Republicans planned to replace the Office of Congressional Ethics with a standing committee called the Office of Congressional Complaint Review, which would report to the House Ethics Committee. The resolution put forward by Republicans would have limited the power of investigation and the independence of the Office of Congressional Ethics.
January 3, 2017 •
2017 Begins with a New Lobbying Law for Rhode Island
On January 1, the Rhode Island Lobbying Reform Act took effect. The Act repeals the lobbying laws in Title 22 and Title 42 in the state’s statutes and enacts a new consolidated code section covering both the legislative and executive […]
On January 1, the Rhode Island Lobbying Reform Act took effect. The Act repeals the lobbying laws in Title 22 and Title 42 in the state’s statutes and enacts a new consolidated code section covering both the legislative and executive branches of government.
Among the changes in the new law are the simplification of lobbyists’ reporting requirements, an increase in penalties for failing to comply with lobbying requirements, and the allowance for more investigative and administrative authority for enforcing the lobbying laws, including administrative subpoena power.
January 3, 2017 •
Effective January 1, Corporations Prohibited from Making Political Contributions in Ontario, Canada
On January 1, the Election Finances Statute Law Amendment Act took effect, prohibiting political contributions from corporations and labor unions and lowering the province’s contribution limits from individuals. The new law also prohibits all provincial politicians, candidates, and senior political […]
On January 1, the Election Finances Statute Law Amendment Act took effect, prohibiting political contributions from corporations and labor unions and lowering the province’s contribution limits from individuals.
The new law also prohibits all provincial politicians, candidates, and senior political staffers from attending fundraising events, with certain exceptions.
Third-parties, who currently face no spending restrictions on advertising, are now limited to $100,000 per election period and $600,000 in the six months before a general election is called.
January 3, 2017 •
Amendments to Federal Gift Rules Effective January 1, 2017
On January 1, new changes to regulations concerning gifts for federal employees took effect. Among the changes the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) made to the federal regulations include a non-binding recommendation employees “consider declining otherwise permissible gifts if they […]
On January 1, new changes to regulations concerning gifts for federal employees took effect.
Among the changes the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) made to the federal regulations include a non-binding recommendation employees “consider declining otherwise permissible gifts if they believe that a reasonable person with knowledge of the relevant facts would question the employee’s integrity or impartiality as a result of accepting the gift.”
Additionally, federal officials who are required to be granted permission to attend “widely attended events” must now seek the permission in writing.
The $20 threshold for accepting a gift remains the same.
January 3, 2017 •
House to Vote to Change Congressional Ethics Office
Today, the United States House of Representatives may vote to replace the Office of Congressional Ethics with a standing committee called the Office of Congressional Complaint Review, which would report to the House Ethics Committee. On January 2, the House […]
Today, the United States House of Representatives may vote to replace the Office of Congressional Ethics with a standing committee called the Office of Congressional Complaint Review, which would report to the House Ethics Committee. On January 2, the House Republican Conference voted to submit the change, over the objections of Speaker Paul Ryan, according to the New York Times.
The resolution put forward by Republicans specifically limits the power of investigation and the independence of the Office of Congressional Ethics. The resolution will be considered today when the representatives vote on their House Rules. The Office of Congressional Ethics was created in 2008 in response to various corruption scandals, including those involving Jack Abramoff, a former lobbyist convicted of conspiracy and wire fraud.
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