August 10, 2023 •
Federal Judge Strikes Down Restriction On Lobbyists

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U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom of the Southern District of Florida permanently halted a portion of the lobbying ban approved by voters in 2018. The restriction barred public officials from lobbying, on issues of policy, appropriations, or procurement before governmental […]
U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom of the Southern District of Florida permanently halted a portion of the lobbying ban approved by voters in 2018.
The restriction barred public officials from lobbying, on issues of policy, appropriations, or procurement before governmental bodies or entities while in office.
Bloom determined the amendment language to be too broad and poorly defined, agreeing with the Plaintiffs in the case.
The six-year ban on lobbying pertaining to former state and local officers after leaving office was not blocked by Bloom and will continue to be in effect.
May 10, 2016 •
Pierce County, WA Eliminates County Lobbying Restrictions
Pierce County Council recently passed an ordinance amending the county’s code of ethics to remove existing restrictions on lobbying. Prior to the passage of the ordinance, lobbyists were required to register and file activity reports. The ordinance became effective March […]
Pierce County Council recently passed an ordinance amending the county’s code of ethics to remove existing restrictions on lobbying. Prior to the passage of the ordinance, lobbyists were required to register and file activity reports.
The ordinance became effective March 28, 2016
October 6, 2015 •
Ask the Experts – Federal Post-Employment Restrictions
Q. We recently hired a lobbyist that is coming to our company directly from spending a number of years as a Senate staffer. What restrictions should we be aware of as her new employer in terms of who she can […]
Q. We recently hired a lobbyist that is coming to our company directly from spending a number of years as a Senate staffer. What restrictions should we be aware of as her new employer in terms of who she can contact on the Hill?
A. Both the House and the Senate have post-employment restrictions for certain individuals leaving their employment on the Hill. Importantly, the House and Senate ethics committees will discuss with the staffer prior to his or her departure the restrictions under which he or she must operate. That said, as her new employer you should definitely be aware of what restrictions are applicable to her situation so neither the company nor she violates the rules.
For the Senate, senior staff (currently defined as individuals whose annual salary is $130,500 or more) are subject to a one-year, Senate-wide ban. Essentially, senior staff leaving the Senate may not lobby the entire Senate for one year following their departure – this includes lobbying contact with personal, committee, and leadership offices. Staff making less than $130,500 a year are subject to a one year ban from lobbying their particular office – whether personal, committee, or leadership office.
The House restriction for senior staff is a one year ban from lobbying the particular office for which the former staffer worked and there is no ban in the House for staffers making less than $130,500.

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