The Alabama House has introduced a bill to revive an expired exemption to lobbyist registration.

House Bill 289, similar to last year’s House Bill 317, will exempt economic development professionals from registering as a lobbyist.

Under the new bill, the economic development professional lobbyist registration exemption does not apply if a person seeks incentives or funds through legislative action outside of incentives already available.

If passed, the law will not contain an expiration date like last year’s bill and will be effective immediately.

Gov. Kay Ivey signed House Bill 317 into law on April 6, 2018.

House Bill 317, exempts economic development professionals from registering as a lobbyist.

Under the bill, the economic development professional lobbyist registration exemption does not apply if a person seeks incentives or funds through legislative action outside of incentives already available.

The provision has a sunset of one year as the Legislature is expected to revise the Alabama Ethics Code during the next legislative session.

The Alabama Legislature adjourned sine die on March 29, 2018.

The Legislature passed House Bill 317, exempting economic development professionals from registering as a lobbyist, on the final day of the regular session.

Under House Bill 317, the economic development professional lobbyist registration exemption does not apply if a person seeks incentives or funds through legislative action outside of incentives already available.

Gov. Kay Ivey released a favorable statement regarding the passage of House Bill 317. Ivey has 10 days from adjournment to sign the bill.