June 8, 2016 •
Rhode Island General Assembly Passes Lobbying Reform Act
On June 7, the Rhode Island General Assembly passed two bills changing the state’s lobbying laws.
Senate Bill 2361 and House Bill 7388 both repeal the current lobbying laws in Title 22 and Title 42 in the state’s statutes and enact the Rhode Island Lobbying Reform Act. Among the changes in the bills 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.
The bills now head to Gov. Gina Marie Raimondo, who has six days after transmittal (excluding Sunday) to sign or veto the bills or the legislation will become law without her signature. The effective date for the two bills is January 1, 2017.
Photo of the Rhode Island State Capitol by Garrett A. Wollman on Wikimedia Commons.
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.
