August 17, 2020 •
Federal Lobbying Law Reform Bill Entered in US House

U.S. Capitol - by Martin Falbisoner
On August 11, a bipartisan bill to amend the federal lobbying law was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. Submitted by Republican Rep. Ben Cline and Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips, the Lobbying Disclosure Reform Act would require registration with […]
On August 11, a bipartisan bill to amend the federal lobbying law was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Submitted by Republican Rep. Ben Cline and Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips, the Lobbying Disclosure Reform Act would require registration with both the Clerk of the House of Representatives and the Secretary of the Senate, move enforcement of the lobbying laws to the U.S. Office of the Attorney General, amend registration and reporting thresholds, and assign a unique identification number to each individual registering as a federal lobbyist and to each client of that lobbyist.
H.R. 8022 would also require the disclosure of any persons providing strategic lobbying services in support of a registered lobbyist, who would then also be assigned unique identification numbers.
The Clerk of the House of Representatives and the Secretary of the Senate would have the responsibility of assigning the unique identification numbers.
June 8, 2020 •
Kansas Legislature Passes Emergency Power Bill, Adjourns Special Session

Kansas Capitol Building
The Kansas Legislature adjourned its special session on June 5 after passing legislation to amend Gov. Laura Kelly’s emergency powers. House Bill 2054 provides oversight on the governor’s ability to distribute federal aid and close businesses for longer than 15 […]
The Kansas Legislature adjourned its special session on June 5 after passing legislation to amend Gov. Laura Kelly’s emergency powers.
House Bill 2054 provides oversight on the governor’s ability to distribute federal aid and close businesses for longer than 15 days at a time. It also gives the Kansas Board of Education the power to close schools.
The bill further prevents the governor from using emergency powers to seize ammunition.
Additionally, the bill limits the sale of firearms during a declared state of emergency, including for COVID-19.
The measure has been sent to the governor’s desk for signature.
June 9, 2016 •
New York Governor Pushes for PAC Reforms
Gov. Andrew Cuomo has outlined another bill to supplement his ethics reform agenda. If passed, the new bill would create regulations and restrictions for independent expenditure campaigns and improve transparency, with the ultimate goal of preventing candidates from having direct […]
Gov. Andrew Cuomo has outlined another bill to supplement his ethics reform agenda.
If passed, the new bill would create regulations and restrictions for independent expenditure campaigns and improve transparency, with the ultimate goal of preventing candidates from having direct control over Super PACs by selecting friends or political allies to steer them.
The new bill is an effort to coax the Legislature to pass ethical reforms before their session comes to a close next week.
June 7, 2016 •
CA Lobbying Reform Bill Sent to Senate
On June 2, the California Assembly passed AB 2002. The bill requires consultants lobbying the California Coastal Commission to register as lobbyists. It also bans private communications between commissioners and lobbyists within 24 hours of a commission hearing. The bill […]
On June 2, the California Assembly passed AB 2002.
The bill requires consultants lobbying the California Coastal Commission to register as lobbyists. It also bans private communications between commissioners and lobbyists within 24 hours of a commission hearing.
The bill passed 54-23 and is being sent to the Senate.
June 3, 2016 •
CA Campaign Contribution Bill Passes Assembly
The California Assembly passed AB 2523 on Thursday. The bill would limit campaign contributions to $4,200 in local governments that do not already have established campaign contribution limits. The bill includes a provision for local governments to reject the limit […]
The California Assembly passed AB 2523 on Thursday.
The bill would limit campaign contributions to $4,200 in local governments that do not already have established campaign contribution limits. The bill includes a provision for local governments to reject the limit if local voters agree.
The bill passed 43-15 and is being sent to the Senate.
May 24, 2016 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Lobbying Pennsylvania: “Pa. Officials, Lobbyists Split on How to Vet Business Propositions” by Brad Bumsted for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Campaign Finance “Key G.O.P. Donors Still Deeply Resist Donald Trump’s Candidacy” by Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns for New York Times Massachusetts: […]
Lobbying
Pennsylvania: “Pa. Officials, Lobbyists Split on How to Vet Business Propositions” by Brad Bumsted for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Campaign Finance
“Key G.O.P. Donors Still Deeply Resist Donald Trump’s Candidacy” by Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns for New York Times
Massachusetts: “New Bill Would Rein in State GOP’s Fund-Raising” by Frank Phillips for Boston Globe
Ethics
Alabama: “One-Time Rising Star Hubbard to Stand Trial on Ethics Charges” by Mike Cason for AL.com
Colorado: “Audit: Colorado ethics commission rarely helps those filing complaints” by Joey Bunch for Denver Post
Hawaii: “Hawaii Lawmakers Again Balk at Ethics, Lobbying Reform” by Nathan Eagle for Honolulu Civil Beat
Elections
“Why Democrats Are Set to Retake State Legislatures in 2016 (and It’s Not Just Trump)” by Amber Phillips for Washington Post
“Bernie Sanders Makes a Campaign Mark. Now, Can He Make a Legacy?” by Jonathan Mahler and Yamiche Alcindor for New York Times
Legislative Issues
Montana: “Term Limits Have Weakened Legislature, Some Observers Say” by Jayme Fraser for Helena Independent Record
Redistricting
Virginia: “Supreme Court Upholds Virginia Redistricting” by Richard Wolf for USA Today
May 23, 2016 •
Virginia Governor Approves Changes to Ethics Laws
Last week, Gov. Terry McAuliffe signed Senate Bill 692, approving changes to the state’s ethics laws yet again. Among the changes, lobbyists will only have to file one disclosure report each year, down from two, on July 1 for the […]
Last week, Gov. Terry McAuliffe signed Senate Bill 692, approving changes to the state’s ethics laws yet again.
Among the changes, lobbyists will only have to file one disclosure report each year, down from two, on July 1 for the preceding 12-month period. The bill also creates an exception in the definition of gifts for any item with a value of less than $20 and limits the definition of a procurement transaction, in terms of lobbying executive action, to contracts costing $5 million or more.
While most of the bill is effective January 1, 2017, an emergency clause applies to the definition change of procurement transaction, rendering it effective upon passage, and lobbyists will not be required to report until July 1, 2017.
May 23, 2016 •
Minnesota Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The Legislature adjourned sine die at midnight after a long day on Sunday, May 23. Prior to adjournment, $260 million of a $900 million budget surplus was allotted to tax credits and cuts for parents, farmers, businesses, and college students. […]
The Legislature adjourned sine die at midnight after a long day on Sunday, May 23.
Prior to adjournment, $260 million of a $900 million budget surplus was allotted to tax credits and cuts for parents, farmers, businesses, and college students. Lawmakers also passed extra spending measures for broadband internet infrastructure development and a statewide voluntary preschool program. Despite several last minute efforts, the Legislature could not come to agreement on a bonding bill to fund construction and transportation projects prior to the end of the session.
A special session could be called soon to address the bonding bill.
May 16, 2016 •
California Procurement Lobbying Bill Vetoed
California Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed Assembly Bill 1200. The bill would have revised the definition of lobbyist to include third-party consultants who work to influence governmental procurement. The governor’s veto message said the bill is not necessary and cited the […]
California Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed Assembly Bill 1200.
The bill would have revised the definition of lobbyist to include third-party consultants who work to influence governmental procurement.
The governor’s veto message said the bill is not necessary and cited the existence of numerous laws already regulating state procurement.
May 10, 2016 •
New York Bill Aims to Curb Corporate Campaign Contributions
The Elections Committee approved a bill to reduce the corporate contribution limit from $5,000 to $1,000 per year and to close a loophole permitting political contributions from limited liability companies. Senate Bill 60, introduced by Sen. Daniel Squadron in 2015, […]
The Elections Committee approved a bill to reduce the corporate contribution limit from $5,000 to $1,000 per year and to close a loophole permitting political contributions from limited liability companies. Senate Bill 60, introduced by Sen. Daniel Squadron in 2015, passed the committee this week, while a parallel bill was being passed in the Assembly.
In response to recent political scandals across the state, those supporting the bill are calling for an up-or-down Senate vote by the end of the legislative session.
June 25, 2014 •
DE General Assembly Passes Campaign Finance Bills
Two important campaign finance bills have passed the Delaware General Assembly and are on their way to Gov. Jack Markell’s desk. House Substitute No. 1 to House Bill 302 consolidates the three existing county boards of election into one state […]
Two important campaign finance bills have passed the Delaware General Assembly and are on their way to Gov. Jack Markell’s desk.
House Substitute No. 1 to House Bill 302 consolidates the three existing county boards of election into one state board with 11 members. The bill also authorizes the state election commissioner to prepare and publish manuals explaining the state’s campaign finance requirements to individuals, political committees, and others affected by the law.
House Bill 301 requires contributions from joint accounts to be attributed to the person authorizing the payment and establishes procedures for reallocation of contributions from joint accounts.
If the governor signs these bills, House Substitute No. 1 to House BIll 302 becomes effective January 1, 2015, and House Bill 301 becomes effective July 1, 2015.
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.