Georgia Senator Josh McKoon has introduced Senate Bill 391, which could put limits on gifts lobbyists give to lawmakers in the state, as wells as other requirements.

For the full story read “With House bill stalled, senator targets lobbyist gifts” by Kristina Torres in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Photo of the Georgia State Capitol Building by AUtiger on Wikipedia.

Alabama: “Alabama lawmakers return for 2012 regular session” by Bob Johnson (Associated Press) in the Montgomery Advertiser.

Arizona: “Monday is deadline to introduce bills in AZ House” by The Associated Press in the Arizon Capitol Times.

California: “Initiative would make Legislature part time, slash its pay” by Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times.

“California Legislators Turn in Keys to their Cars” by Karl Kurtz on NCSL’s blog The Thicket.

Oklahoma: “Okla. State Legislature Begins 2012 Session” by Homa Quazilbash on KTUL.com

Oregon: “Oregon Politics: Legislative session starts with big concepts and some lawmakers under scrutiny” by Jeff Mapes in The Oregonian

Virginia: “Va. legislators accepted $246,000 in gifts last year” by Anita Kumar in the Washington Post.

Jim Murry has been chosen as the next Montana Commissioner of Political Practices.

According to the Great Falls Tribune, Governor Brian Schweitzer made the decision yesterday after meeting with Mr. Murry, who begins working as the Commissioner today.

The previous Commissioner, David Gallik, abruptly left the position after questions arose concerning whether Mr. Gallik was conducting his private law practice while at the government office.

Among its other duties, the Commissioner’s office monitors and enforces lobbyist registration and disclosure, campaign finance practices, and ethics standards among state officials.

Elizabeth Bartz, President and CEO of State and Federal Communications, is attending today’s NCSL Foundation Bi-Annual Luncheon.

NCSL Executive Director Bill Pound will be talking about top issues this legislative session.

Broward County is expected to file suit in order to ensure the countywide ethics code remains in force countywide after residents of Wilton Manors, Hillsboro Beach, and Sea Ranch Lakes voted to undo portions of it during the January 31, 2012 election. Voters were asked whether local elected officials should be subjected to state law on issues relating to their side jobs, instead of the new county code of ethics, and voters in all three cities unanimously voted in favor.

Broward County Mayor John Rodstrom and Broward County Commissioners have all expressed their belief that the language used on the ballot was deceiving, as no mention of lobbying or the new county code of ethics, extended to all cities in Broward County on January 2, 2012, was contained in the language of the ballot questions.

The county is expected to pursue one of the following legal paths: suing on the ballot language as deceptive or acquiring a ruling concerning Broward County’s authority over the three cities in regards to the code of ethics.

For full news coverage, read:

“W.Va. lawmakers navigate lobby ban, social media” by The Associated Press in the Washington Examiner.

“W.Va. lawmakers seek buffer from e-lobbying but not blockade with public in social media age” by Lawrence Messina (Associated Press) in The Republic.

Photo of the West Virginia State Capitol Building by Analogue Kid on Wikipedia.

Abramoff will be working with United Republic’s Republic Report, a blog that started just this month.

According to Abramoff’s first blog post from February 3: “Hi, everyone. I’m new to blogging, so this is an exciting experiment for me.

I’ll be posting more serious pieces next week. But, for now, I just want to say how honored I am to join Nick Penniman, Josh Silver, and the gang at United Republic in the vital effort to effect real reform in Washington.

It is a privilege for me to add my insights and experience to their strong and sagacious team and I look forward to working with them to reveal to our nation the way Washington really works.”

For news coverage read: “Jack Abramoff has unlikely second act as watchdog” by Melanie Mason in the Chicago Tribune.

Thank you to News You Can Use Editor Jim Sedor for pointing me in the direction of this news piece.

Federal:

Minor Senate Bill Transformed into Broad Reform Package

Records Show How Wealthy Shape Presidential Race

From the States and Municipalities:

Alabama

Trial Delayed One Week; Crosby Friend Talks About His Death

Arizona

Arizona City Council Candidate Barred for English Deficit Vows Appeal

California

California Campaign Disclosure Bill Rejected by Assembly

California

Defense Buoys State Campaign of McKeon’s Wife

Colorado

Colorado GOP Lawmaker Bradford Says She Might Leave Party

Colorado

Gov. John Hickenlooper Signs Law Delaying Campaign Finance Reporting until May

Florida

Broward Heads to Court to Defend Code of Ethics

Kansas

Two Kansas Judges Contributed to Anti-Abortion PAC

Kentucky

Ethics Watchdog Richard Beliles Has Few Friends in Kentucky Capitol

Massachusetts

Boston Developer Arthur Winn Fined $100,000 for Making Illegal Campaign Contributions

Michigan

Secretary of State Ruth Johnson Paid $1,325 for Failing to File Campaign Finance Reports

New Jersey

Freeholders Nix ‘Pay-to-Play’ Rules

New York

Ethics Commission Quietly Names New Director

State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.

News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.

The American League of Lobbyists opposes the part of the recently-passed STOCK Act that requires political intelligence operatives to register under LDA requirements. They say it would impede their reform efforts to close loopholes.

For news coverage, read: “Lobbyist League Opposes STOCK Act Language on Political Intelligence Operatives” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.

February 7, 2012     NCSL Foundation Bi-Annual Luncheon, Washington, D.C.

February 17, 2012     Innovate to Motivate, Washington, D.C.

February 25 – February 27, 2012     National Governors Association Winter Meeting, Washington, D.C.

February 27 – March 1, 2012     National PAC Conference, Miami, Florida

Yesterday, the U.S. Senate passed a bill which expands the Lobbyist Disclosure Act to include those conducting political intelligence activities.

Senate Bill 2038, the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act, defines the term ‘political intelligence activities’ to mean “political intelligence contacts and efforts in support of such contacts, including preparation and planning activities, research, and other background work that is intended, at the time it is performed, for use in contacts, and coordination with such contacts and efforts of others.”

‘Political intelligence contact’ is defined to mean oral, written, and electronic communication to covered executive and legislative branch officials intended for use in analyzing securities or commodities markets, or in informing investment decisions.

The lobbyist registration and disclosure requirements would be required by both political intelligence consultants and political intelligence firms, also defined in the bill.

The U.S. House version of the bill, House Resolution 1148, also called the STOCK Act, contains similar requirements.

Lobbying

“A record year for lobbying industry” by Michael Shaw in the Sacramento Business Journal.

“Lobbying Money Hits New Record” by Jenny O’Mara on KBPS.org.

Campaign finance

“Michigan Democrats are taking 1st shot at corporate funding with proposed ethics, campaign finance reform” by Rob South in Michigan Live.

Gov 2.0 and Social Media

“Consumers Turn to Social Media for Presidential Campaign Info” in yesterday’s eMarketer.

“New York City Readies for a Website Overhaul” by Sarah Rich in Government Technology.

Redistricting

Iowa – “5 Iowa legislators resign following redistricting” by The Associated Press in the Muscatine Journal.

Massachusetts – “In redistricting’s wake, Rep. Paul Adams opts to run for state Senate” by Matt Murphy in the Boston Herald.

Ohio – “Only 3 of 16 districts competitive in new map” by William Hershey in the Dayton Daily News.

Pennsylvania – “Targeted lawmakers stuck in ‘political limbo’” by Rachel Weaver in today’s Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

The law created new PAC reporting requirements. PACs must file quarterly reports on the 15th day of the month following the end of a calendar quarter. From July 1st of an election year until December 31st of that year, PACs must file monthly reports by the 15th day of the month following the reporting period. From October 1st of an election year until November 30th, reports must be submitted on the 15th and 30th day of each month. A final report covering transactions after the January 1st following the election must be filed 90 days after the election.

Because 2012 is an election year in Puerto Rico, the law makes provisions regarding contribution limits. A contribution of up to $2,500 may be given by a PAC to a candidate between January 1, 2012 and March 18, 2012. An additional contribution of up to $2,500 may be given to each candidate between March 19, 2012 and November 6, 2012. PACs may not give more than $12,500 in the aggregate per election in 2012.

Puerto Rico has also joined the growing list of jurisdictions with pay-to-play laws. Puerto Rico prohibits contributions while a corporation is in the process of obtaining a permit, franchise, or government contract. Once the process of obtaining the permit, franchise, or government contract is completed, a corporation may make a contribution from their PAC. At the municipal level, contributions to local candidates are prohibited if the corporation is seeking a permit, franchise, or contract with the local jurisdiction.