March 1, 2016 •
MA Bill to Create Lobbying Laws for Municipalities
Massachusetts state Sen. Michael Brady has introduced legislation proposing state municipalities require lobbyist registration and reporting. If passed, municipalities would be allowed to opt into the law’s requirements after approval by vote of the local governing body. According to Brady, as reported in the Patriot Ledger, the legislation is modeled after the state lobbying law and creates new categories for governing municipal agents and municipal lobbying. Registration, costing $100 a year, would be required for compensation for lobbying of over $2,500 per year. Municipal clerks would administer registration and reporting requirements, with enforcement handled by the Office of the Secretary of State.
Meanwhile, on February 29, House Speaker Robert DeLeo announced a plan to create a task force to review the state’s ethics laws, according the Sentinel & Enterprise. DeLeo would like any task force recommendations to be considered during this year’s legislative session.
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