July 26, 2024 •
News You Can Use Digest – July 26, 2024
National/Federal Can Robert Menendez’s Bribery Conviction Survive an Appeal? DNyuz – Benjamin Weiser (New York Times) | Published: 7/22/2024 With U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, found guilty of corruption charges, his lawyers say they will appeal his conviction aggressively and believe he will […]
National/Federal
Can Robert Menendez’s Bribery Conviction Survive an Appeal?
DNyuz – Benjamin Weiser (New York Times) | Published: 7/22/2024
With U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, found guilty of corruption charges, his lawyers say they will appeal his conviction aggressively and believe he will be vindicated. Defense lawyers make such claims routinely, but in the realm of federal corruption cases, they may have reason to be optimistic. The U.S. Supreme Court, in rulings since 2010, has narrowed the legal definition of corruption, resulting in a number of convictions of political figures being overturned.
The Secret Battle for the Future of the Murdoch Empire
DNyuz – Jim Rutenberg and Jonathan Mahler (New York Tims) | Published: 7/24/2024
Rupert Murdoch is locked in a legal battle against three of his children over the future of the family’s media empire, as he moves to preserve it as a conservative political force after his death. Murdoch made a surprise move to change the terms of the irrevocable family trust to ensure his eldest son and chosen successor, Lachlan, would remain in charge of his collection of television networks and newspapers. He is arguing in court that only by empowering Lachlan to run the company without interference from his more politically moderate siblings can he preserve its conservative editorial bent, and thus protect its commercial value for all his heirs.
Corporate Donors Swarm GOP Convention: ‘It’s like a cocktail party’
MSN – Josh Dawsey (Washington Post) | Published: 7/18/2024
Many corporate donors treated Trump as a pariah after attack on the Capitol and decried his efforts to overturn the election. But now that Trump is the Republican standard-bearer, more than 300 executives and lobbyists attended the convention as guests of his campaign. Lobbyists from more than a dozen prominent firms attended the convention as guests of the Trump campaign’s host committee. To get in the boxes, donors must have written large checks or have promised big donations.
Election Officials Frustrated Trump Allies Suddenly Care About Rhetoric
MSN – Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 7/19/2024
Soon after Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt, many of his prominent supporters placed blame not on the gunman who pulled the trigger but on President Biden, other Democrats. or journalists who have described the former president as a threat to democracy. But for years, election workers felt ignored as they described how Trump’s verbal attacks on the nation’s election systems resulted in threats of violence and terrorizing harassment. Now, Trump’s prominent supporters were paying attention to the potential ramifications of rhetoric but without acknowledging how their words had contributed to the nation’s toxic divisions.
Democrats Coalesce Around Harris, as She Kicks Off Bid with Attacks on Trump
MSN – Toluse Olorunnipa (Washington Post) | Published: 7/22/2024
The Democratic Party largely coalesced around Vice President Kamala Harris as its likely new presidential nominee as she kicked off her campaign by promising to prosecute a forceful case against Donald Trump and defend the legacy of President Biden. Harris secured pledges of support from a majority of Democratic National Convention delegates, a strong show of unity behind her presidential campaign that signals she is likely to officially become the party’s nominee in August.
FCC Commissioner Wrote a Project 2025 Chapter – Democrats Want Him Investigated Over It
MSN – Alison Durkee (Forbes) | Published: 7/17/2024
House Democrats called for an ethics investigation into Federal Communications Commission leader Brendan Carr, arguing he improperly used his office after he authored a chapter in the controversial Project 2025 policy agenda that lays out a blueprint for former Donald Trump to overhaul the executive branch. Carr’s actions may have violated ethics laws for federal employees and the Hatch Act, which prohibits federal employees from using their office for political activities, the lawmakers argued.
Secret Service Director Cheatle Resigns with ‘Heavy Heart’ After Trump Rally Shooting
MSN – Maria Sacchetti, Carol Leonnig, Nick Miroff, and Shayna Jacobs (Washington Post) | Published: 7/23/2024
U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned in the aftermath of the assassination attempt on Donald Trump. The attack was the first against a U.S. leader on the elite protective agency’s watch in more than 40 years. Cheatle, a veteran Secret Service agent, had called the security failure involving a gunman shooting from an apparently unsecured roof at a Trump campaign rally on July 13 unacceptable and acknowledged “the buck stops with me.”
$30 Million Gift Will Fund Center to Push for Supreme Court Overhaul
MSN – Justin Jouvenal (Washington Post) | Published: 7/23/2024
A business executive and philanthropist pledged $30 million to launch a first-of-its-kind center pushing to overhaul the Supreme Court, after a series of ethics controversies and conservative rulings prompted rising scrutiny of the justices. The major gift from Jim Kohlberg, chairperson of a private equity firm, will fund research, public outreach, and policy advocacy over a decade at the Brennan Center for Justice. The announcement comes amid a flurry of Democratic activity related to reshaping the court.
Bob Menendez to Resign Senate Seat Following Federal Bribery Conviction
MSN – Abbie Cheeseman and Nicole Markus (Washington Post) | Published: 7/23/2024
Sen. Bob Menendez plans to resign effective August 20. He was convicted of taking bribes from three businesspeople who showered him and his wife with cash, gold bars, and a Mercedes-Benz, an extravagant bounty for his help securing deals with foreign officials and trying to derail several criminal investigations in New Jersey. A jury found Menendez guilty on 16 felony counts, including bribery, extortion, and working as a foreign agent on behalf of Egypt.
Trump Allies Crush Misinformation Research Despite Supreme Court Loss
MSN – Cat Zakrzewski and Naomi Nix (Washington Post) | Published: 7/24/2024
A legal campaign led by allies of Donald Trump is attempting to cast the study of misinformation as part of a broader conspiracy to censor conservative voices online. It has transformed the daily life and work of those who worked at tracking election misinformation online, a field now reeling as the 2024 presidential race enters its final months. False rumors and disinformation have proliferated online as the nation reels from the assassination attempt on Trump and President Biden’s withdrawal from the race.
GOP Eyes Legal Challenges as Harris Assumes Control of Biden’s War Chest
MSN – Maeve Reston (Washington Post) | Published: 7/21/2024
Within hours of President Biden announcing his decision to leave the race, his reelection committee submitting an amended filing to the FEC changing its name to “Harris for President” so Vice President Harris would have access to the millions of dollars in the fund. Several campaign finance lawyers aligned with Republicans argue the campaign does not have legal authority to do that and the maneuver is all but certain to be challenged before the FEC or in court.
Biden’s 50 Years in Politics Defined by Triumph, Tragedy and a Reluctant Exit
MSN – Toluse Olorunnipa (Washington Post) | Published: 7/21/2024
President Biden’s decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race marks the sunset of a consequential career in public service that spanned more than 50 years. The move caps a turbulent journey in Washington for a self-described “great respecter of fate” who acquiesced to the conclusion drawn by many Democratic leaders and allies that, at 81 and showing increasing signs of aging, he did not have a viable path to defeating Donald Trump.
DOJ Review Blames Stone Sentencing Flip on Poor Leadership, Not Politics
MSN – Spencer Hsu (Washington Post) | Published: 7/24/2024
The Justice Department’s inspector general blamed “ineffectual leadership” and not political interference for the softening of Roger Stone’s sentencing recommendation in February 2020 after his conviction for lying to Congress. The report upheld an account by then-Attorney General William Barr but also found that line prosecutors’ suspicions of political meddling by Donald Trump’s administration were not unreasonable.
Ex-Mass. Congressional Candidate Sentenced for Using Campaign Donations to Pay Debts
MSN – Susannah Sudborough (MassLive) | Published: 7/23/2024
Abhijit Das, a former Massachusetts congressional candidate, was sentenced to 21 months in prison with a fine of $25,000 for breaking federal campaign finance law, including by using political donations to pay back money he owed from running his hotel business. While running for office in December 2017, he devised a scheme to inflate his fundraising numbers that involved asking for personal loans from friends over the $2,700 limit set by federal law.
Ethics Commissions: Obliging government to control itself
National Conference of State Legislatures – Helen Brewer and Adam Kuckuk | Published: 7/23/2024
Government makes rules for the people, but who makes the rules for the government? In the Federalist Papers, James Madison saw this issue as one of the greatest challenges in creating a republic: “You must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place, oblige it to control itself.” One of the many ways state governments are obliged to control themselves is through ethics commissions. How these commissions are structured, the jurisdiction they have, how they operate, and what they cover varies greatly by state.
Campaign Finance Watchdog Raises Alarm About Recent FEC Super PAC Decisions
Ohio Capital Journal – Nick Evans | Published: 7/24/2024
Some campaign finance experts argue the FEC is fundamentally broken and is taking a wrecking ball to campaign spending rules. For years, the agency moved at a glacial pace and often deadlocked when it came to enforcement decisions. But more recently, a majority of commissioners have begun issuing decisions that consistently roll back political spending restrictions.
Activist Group Files Ethics Complaint After Member Accused of Accosting GOP Lawmaker
Yahoo News – Yash Roy (The Hill) | Published: 7/18/2024
Activist group Code Pink submitted a complaint against U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden to the House ethics committee over now-dismissed battery charges. The Milwaukee County district attorney’s office dismissed the misdemeanor battery charge against Code Pink activist Nour Jaghama after Van Orden accused her in a social media post of assaulting him outside the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
From the States and Municipalities
Canada – Influencers Put on Notice, Guelph Lobbyist Registry Moves Forward
Guelph Today – Richard Vivian | Published: 7/24/2024
The Guelph City Council voted to establish a municipal lobbyist registry. The registry, which will come into being on October 1 but not be enforced until January 1, requires lobbyists with a financial interest to publicly report each time they attempt to influence a council member, along with identifying their employer and details about the subject at hand.
California – Democrats Run the California Capitol. When the Party Backs a Bill, Lawmakers Pay Attention
CalMatters – Ryan Sabalow | Published: 7/22/2024
The California Democratic Party is a multimillion-dollar powerhouse whose endorsements and campaign money can make or break a politician’s aspirations for state or federal office. The party also regularly throws its weight around on individual pieces of legislation in the state Capitol, where Democrats hold supermajorities in both chambers. Few other organizations have weighed in on more legislation, making the party, whose primary function is electing Democrats, one of the most prolific, and successful, lobbying organizations at the statehouse.
California – Mark Farrell Doubles Down on Practice of Commingling Campaign Funds
Mission Local – Kelly Waldron | Published: 7/24/2024
San Francisco mayoral candidate Mark Farrell has continued a practice his opponents say amounts to skirting campaign finance limits. He pooled $160,895 in expenses between his mayoral race and a ballot measure he is backing. Rival campaigns allege this effectively allows Farrell to access larger sums from big-money donors, who are not hamstrung by the city’s contribution limits on giving to candidates directly.
California – Stockton Drafting Possible Transparency Rules for Political Consultants After Grand Jury Report
MSN – Aaron Leathley (Stockton Record) | Published: 7/18/2024
The Stockton City Council members took a first step toward creating new transparency rules for political consultants and possibly establishing a city ethics commission. The council’s legislative committee told interim City Clerk Katherine Roland to draft policies that would require consultants working with local candidates and politicians to reveal basic information about their businesses and clients.
California – LA County Supervisors Back a Ballot Measure to Add 4 Seats, Elect a County CEO
MSN – Steve Scauzillo (Los Angeles Daily News) | Published: 7/23/2024
Despite mounting opposition, a ballot measure that would increase the number of Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors from five to nine members, create an elected, not appointed, county executive officer, and establish an ethics commission received its first vote of approval. It needs a second and final vote that is set for July 30 and the sweeping governance reform, the first multi-pronged charter reform package in more than 100 years that will change the face of county government, will go before voters on November 5.
California – Rep. Ken Calvert Has Secured Millions for His Riverside County District. Do His Own Properties Benefit?
Yahoo News – Laura Nelson (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 7/22/2024
Since Congress brought back the legislative process known as earmarking in 2022, few lawmakers have been as successful at securing funds for their district as Rep. Ken Calvert, who has been in Congress longer than any other California Republican. He has funneled more than $100 million since then into projects in his Riverside County district. The earmarks include $16 million in planned transportation improvements that fall within several miles of rental properties Calvert owns, raising questions about the extent to which he personally benefits from the earmarks he has secured.
Colorado – Colorado Campaign Donation Limits Case to Be Decided Later This Year
Colorado Sun – Sandra Fish | Published: 7/24/2024
A federal judge will decide after the November 5 general election whether Colorado’s political donation limits for candidates are legal. Three Republicans are challenging the limits enacted by voters in 2002 claiming they violate the First Amendment by limiting donors’ freedom of speech. Senior U.S. District Court Judge John Kane rejected their attempt to suspend the limits immediately.
District of Columbia – D.C. Prosecutor Accused of Misconduct at Trials of Anti-Trump Protesters
MSN – Peter Herman (Washington Post) | Published: 7/24/2024
A federal prosecutor who oversaw sweeping arrests of anti-Trump demonstrators in the nation’s capital manipulated evidence alongside a District of Columbia police detective in an apparent attempt to strengthen the case, according to an office that investigates misconduct complaints against attorneys in the city. Jennifer Kerkhoff Muyskens worked with a detective, Greggory Pemberton, to edit video of people planning protests of the president’s 2017 inauguration, and later falsely told the court about it, the Office of Disciplinary Counsel alleges.
Georgia – Georgia Democrats Sue to Overturn Law Allowing Unlimited Campaign Cash, Saying GOP Unfairly Benefits
MSN – Jeff Amy (Associated Press) | Published: 7/19/2024
Georgia Democrats are suing to overturn the ability of Gov. Brian Kemp and others to raise unlimited political contributions and spend them on behalf of any political cause. The Democratic Party of Georgia filed a federal lawsuit that asks a judge to declare a 2021 law that created leadership committees is unconstitutional because it unfairly gives unlimited fundraising powers to some people but not others.
Honolulu Civil Beat – Blaze Lovell | Published: 7/24/2024
Hawaii banned contributions from contractors in 2005, but the Legislature wrote a loophole into the law that allowed officers, owners, employees, and family members to continue donating. A media investigation this year found nearly one-fifth of all campaign donations made since 2006 came from people tied to contractors. Efforts to close the loophole failed in the last two legislative sessions. Citing the New York Times and Honolulu Civil Beat investigation, lawmakers and government watchdog groups have said they will take up the issue again next year.
MSN – Jason Meisner, Ray Long, and Megan Crepeau (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 7/22/2024
Attorneys for Michael McClain asked that he be severed in his upcoming racketeering trial with former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, revealing for the first time that Madigan’s legal team may be planning to throw McClain under the bus. The motion said McClain’s right to a fair trial was in peril due to a theory of Madigan’s defense that would essentially make them “second prosecutors,” putting McClain in the position of having to defend himself not only from government accusations but his co-defendant too.
Maine – Republican Lawmaker Escapes Penalty for Repeatedly Missing Campaign Finance Deadlines
Yahoo News – Randy Billings (Portland Press Herald) | Published: 7/24/2024
A state lawmaker will not face any penalties for routinely failing to file timely campaign finance reports for his PAC. The Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices ruled Rep. Richard Campbell violated state law. But commissioners were not able to assess a financial penalty because Campbell’s Building the Maine House PAC has not actively raised or spent money for the last four years.
Maine – Maine Lawmakers Want to Rein in Vague ‘Concept Bills,’ Late-Night Votes
Yahoo News – Randy Billings (Portland Press Herald) | Published: 7/19/2024
A group of Maine lawmakers is considering a list of proposals to improve transparency and efficiency in the Legislature following the chaotic conclusion of this year’s session. The potential rule changes include capping the number of bills that can be submitted, limiting the use of placeholder bills that lack policy specifics, and putting an end to late-night votes, especially on the state budget.
Maryland – Baltimore County Spending $550K to Shield 2020 Settlement to Brother of County Executive’s Friend
MSN – Cassidy Jensen and Lia Russell (Baltimore Sun) | Published: 7/17/2024
Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr.’s administration secretly paid his friend’s brother an $83,675 settlement after backing out of an agreement to increase the retired firefighter’s pension, which county lawyers said would have violated state law. Now, the administration could pay more than $500,000 in a court fight to keep secret details about the settlement. Former County Administrative Officer Fred Homan sued the county, alleging officials violated the Maryland Public Information Act by withholding documents he requested related to the settlement.
Mississippi – Mississippi Ordered to Create More Black Districts, Hold Special Elections Next Year
MSN – Taylor Vance (Biloxi Sun Herald) | Published: 7/19/2024
The Mississippi Legislature must adopt new state Senate and House maps with Black-majority districts during its 2025 session and conduct elections to fill those new seats, a federal three-judge panel ruled. The judges previously ruled the districts drawn in 2022 by the Legislature diluted Black voting strength. The State Board of Election Commissioners argued the elections should take place next year because it would be nearly impossible to redraw the districts in time for November elections.
Missouri – Kehoe Campaign for Missouri Governor Riding on Bus Owned by Lobbyist for Chinese Pork Producer
Yahoo News – Rudi Keller (Missouri Independent) | Published: 7/21/2024
In his campaign for governor, Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe has promised voters he will stop China “from buying up our farmland.” He is doing so while traveling the state in a bus owned by Jewell Patek, a former legislator who is the only Missouri lobbyist employed by the Chinese business that owns a significant chunk of agricultural land in the state. The cost of using Patek’s bus is not listed among the expenses reported in Kehoe’s latest campaign finance report.
Montana – Montana Attorney General Didn’t Violate Campaign Finance Rules, Elections Enforcer Says
MSN – Amy Beth Hanson (Associated Press) | Published: 7/19/2024
Commissioner of Political Practice Chris Gallus said Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen did not violate any laws after he was reported to have recruited Logan Olson to run against him for campaign finance purposes. The contribution limit for the attorney general’s race is $790, but candidates can receive twice that from individuals if they have a primary opponent. Gallus said did not have evidence to show Olson was not a “bona fide” candidate or that he was offered any “payment or promise” for running.
New York – Elected Official Charged with Biting NYPD Officer
MSN – Jeff Coltin (Politico) | Published: 7/17/2024
New York City Council member Susan Zhuang was arrested on charges she bit a deputy police chief while protesting a planned homeless shelter in her Brooklyn district. Zhuang’s communications director, Felix Tager, said “Zhuang was arrested after trying to protect an 80-year-old woman” who was being pushed up against the barricades. NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell disagreed, saying the woman had laid herself under the barricade.
New York – Contributions That Exceed Legal Limits Poured into Eric Adams’ Campaign
The City – Greg Smith | Published: 7/19/2024
Individuals on New York City’s official “doing business” list donated more than the limit to Mayor Eric Adams’ 2021 campaign and now his 2025 bid for re-election. Donors who exceeded the $400 cap have had the excess money refunded following review by the Campaign Finance Board well after the campaign has touted its fundraising hauls in competitive races. In addition to banning corporate contributions, amendments to the city charter gave the board the power to regulate donations from individuals involved in city business.
Ohio – Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens Scores Temporary Legal Win in Fight Over Campaign Account
MSN – Jeremy Pelzer (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 7/23/2024
Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens scored an unexpected legal win as a state appeals court temporarily held up a lower-court injunction stripping him of control over the chamber’s campaign arm. It throws an unexpected hurdle in the way of attempts by a majority of Republicans to wrest control of the Ohio House Republican Alliance’s from Stephens, who was elected speaker last year with the support of only about one-third of his caucus as well as every Democrat.
Oregon – The Feds Warned Oregon Officials That a Report on Alcohol Taxes Was Fundamentally Flawed
Willamette Week – Lucas Manfield | Published: 7/24/2024
The director of the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Dr. Sejal Hathi, told lawmakers, advocates, and business leaders on a state Liquor and Cannabis Commission task force that her agency was wrong to bury a report that showed increasing taxes on beer and wine would do little to curb excessive drinking. The shelving of that report left the impression the OHA withheld it because it clashed with the agency’s desire to hike taxes to reduce excessive drinking. The report was not just politically inconvenient. According to some scientists, it was also flawed because it was based on research funded by the alcohol industry.
Tennessee – Tennessee Election Finance Board to Subpoena Members of Constitutional Republicans
Tennessee Lookout – Sam Stockard | Published: 7/24/2024
Dissatisfied with a state attorney general’s investigation, the Registry of Election Finance is set to subpoena members of the Tennessee and Sumner County Constitutional Republicans to have them explain how they operate without registering as a PAC. A complaint accuses the groups of acting like a PAC by making expenditures for candidates or issues but refusing to register with the state. Five people spoke to a state investigator, but three others declined.
MSN – Zach Despart (Texas Tribune) | Published: 7/23/2024
Three decades following its inception, the Texas Ethics Commission is toothless. Compliance with ethics laws is largely voluntary. That is because the agency relies on the Texas attorney general to enforce payment of fines for violations. Under Ken Paxton, who himself owes $11,000 in ethics fines, that has rarely happened. A review by The Texas Tribune found the number of politicians, lobbyists, and PACs that owe fines for breaking state campaign finance laws has exploded in recent years.
April 17, 2023 •
Minnesota Considers Bills to Overhaul Lobbyist Reporting
The Minnesota Legislature is considering two bills proposing an overhaul to the lobbyist reporting requirements. Senate File 1636 requires lobbyist principals to report the total amount, spent by the principal during the preceding calendar year on each of four types […]
The Minnesota Legislature is considering two bills proposing an overhaul to the lobbyist reporting requirements.
Senate File 1636 requires lobbyist principals to report the total amount, spent by the principal during the preceding calendar year on each of four types of lobbying:
- Lobbying to influence legislative action
- Lobbying to influence administrative action
- Lobbying to influence official action of political subdivisions
- Lobbying to influence administrative action in cases of rate setting, power plant and powerline siting, with no rounding of the amounts, so lobbyist principals will be reporting actual amount spent for each category of lobbying.
House File 1723 requires lobbyist principals to report the total amount, rounded to the nearest $10,000 spent by the principal during the preceding calendar year on each of four types of lobbying:
- Lobbying to influence legislative action
- Lobbying to influence administrative action
- Lobbying to influence official action of political subdivisions
- Lobbying to influence administrative action in cases of rate setting, power plant and powerline siting, and granting of certificates of need for a large energy facility.
Currently principals are only required to report the total amount, rounded to the nearest $20,000, for all categories.
August 15, 2022 •
Monday’s LobbyComply News Roundup
Campaign Finance Florida: “This Florida Utility’s Secret Cash Helped GOP Win Gainesville State Senate Seat” by Mary Ellen Klaus, Nicholas Nehama, and Ana Claudia Chacin for Miami Herald Elections Wisconsin: “Wisconsin Assembly Leader Axes 2020 Election Investigation After Beating Trump-Backed […]
Campaign Finance
Florida: “This Florida Utility’s Secret Cash Helped GOP Win Gainesville State Senate Seat” by Mary Ellen Klaus, Nicholas Nehama, and Ana Claudia Chacin for Miami Herald
Elections
Wisconsin: “Wisconsin Assembly Leader Axes 2020 Election Investigation After Beating Trump-Backed Primary Challenger” by Zach Montellaro (Politico) for Yahoo News
Ethics
National: “Under Fire, Homeland Security Watchdog Delays Probe – with GOP Help” by Lisa Rein (Washington Post) for MSN
National: “Trump’s Secrets: How a records dispute led the FBI to search Mar-a-Lago” by Josh Dawsey, Rosalind Helderman, Jacqueline Alemany, and Devlin Barrett (Washington Post) for MSN
California: “A Bay Area Councilman Had a 14-Year-Old as His Campaign Treasurer. Regulators Want to Put a Kibosh on That.” by Gabriel Greschler (Bay Area News Group) for MSN
New York: “Jury Selection Will Start in October for Trump Organization Criminal Trial” by Ilya Marritz for NPR
Ohio: “Unfilled Records Requests Hide the Full Story Behind Ohio’s Utility Corruption Scandal” by Kathiann Kowalski (Energy News Network) for WVIZ
Lobbying
Indiana: “Rokita Consultant Hired, But Facing $18,000 in Lobbyist Registration Fines” by Leslie Bonilla Muñiz for Indiana Capital Chronicle
September 7, 2021 •
Update to BC ORL Registry for Certain Coalition Reporting
On September 9, the Office of the Registrar of Lobbyists for British Columbia (ORL) will implement a change to its online registry that will allow for streamlining the process for declaring certain coalition activities. The change involves answering additional questions […]
On September 9, the Office of the Registrar of Lobbyists for British Columbia (ORL) will implement a change to its online registry that will allow for streamlining the process for declaring certain coalition activities.
The change involves answering additional questions regarding whether a lobbying activity being reported was a jointly signed or endorsed letter sent on behalf of one or more of the organizations listed in the associated registration return as members of a coalition to which the organization or client belongs. Rather than being reported by each of the coalition member of a joint letter, the letter will only need to be declared once as a coalition activity and only reported once by the organization or consultant lobbyist that communicated the joint letter to senior public office holders.
According to the ORL, a change in the online lobbying activity report forms will be visible to organizations that have declared in their registration returns that the organization is a member of a coalition. The change will also be visible to consultant lobbyists when they prepare lobbying activity reports for clients, if they have declared in the associated registration return that the client belongs to a coalition.
If an organization has not declared membership in a coalition, this change does not affect them. This change also does not affect consultant lobbyists whose clients are not members of coalitions.
April 12, 2021 •
Philadelphia Board of Ethics Releases 2021 Lobbying Training Schedule
On April 9, the Philadelphia Board of Ethics announced the 2021 lobbying training schedule. The virtual lobbyist training covers the basic requirements of the city’s lobbying law for lobbyists, lobbying firms, and principals. The training will also cover the process […]
On April 9, the Philadelphia Board of Ethics announced the 2021 lobbying training schedule.
The virtual lobbyist training covers the basic requirements of the city’s lobbying law for lobbyists, lobbying firms, and principals.
The training will also cover the process of registering and filing expense reports with the Board of Ethics through the Philadelphia Lobbying Information System (PLIS).
Currently, it is not mandatory to attend one of the 2021 lobbying trainings.
Registration for the lobbying training may be accomplished at http://bit.ly/BOELobbyTraining.
All trainings will be held from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. via Zoom on April 20, July 9, and October 14.
More dates may be added at a later time and dates are subject to change.
Questions regarding the schedule or training may be directed to the Board of Ethics at Lobbying@phila.gov or BOE.Training@phila.gov.
March 9, 2021 •
Federal In-House Lobbyists Registration Threshold Increased
One of the federal lobbying registration thresholds for organizations employing in-house lobbyists has been increased. Now, an organization employing in-house lobbyists whose total expenses in connection with lobbying activities do not exceed and are not expected to exceed $14,000 in […]
One of the federal lobbying registration thresholds for organizations employing in-house lobbyists has been increased. Now, an organization employing in-house lobbyists whose total expenses in connection with lobbying activities do not exceed and are not expected to exceed $14,000 in the quarterly period is not required to be registered. The previous level was $13,000. This threshold amount is adjusted every four years based on the Consumer Price Index.
The threshold amount for lobbying firms remains the same. A lobbying firm or individual lobbyist whose total income for matters relating to lobbying activities on behalf of a particular client does not exceed or is not expected to exceed $3,000 in the quarterly period is exempt from registration with respect to such client.
Other determinations for registration include whether a lobbyist is an individual who, with respect to a particular client, makes more than one lobbying contact and whose lobbying activities constitute at least 20% of the individual’s time in services for that client over any three-month period.
February 16, 2021 •
New York JCOPE Updates Online Filing System
On February 24, the New York Joint Commission on Public Ethics plans to open the online Lobbying Application. Additionally, the commission will post updated paper forms for the submission of bimonthly reports. The writable PDF forms will be available to […]
On February 24, the New York Joint Commission on Public Ethics plans to open the online Lobbying Application.
Additionally, the commission will post updated paper forms for the submission of bimonthly reports.
The writable PDF forms will be available to paper filers on the JCOPE website.
Due to changes in the lobbying regulations and to the online filing system, JCOPE is also allowing additional time to file bimonthly reports due in March.
Bimonthly reports covering the January 1 to February 28 reporting period will be considered timely if submitted by March 22.
The online system was also updated to improve functionality, transparency, and the filing process.
Changes made include removing the auto-population of lobbying activities reported on a registration to the filer’s bimonthly report; allowing filers to add additional information to an existing party name; adding a comprehensive drop-down menu of itemized expenses; an updated parties lobbied database; and also adding an expense chart for reporting coalition contributions by members of unstructured coalitions.
February 11, 2021 •
Nevada Legislature Introduces Bill to Revise Lobbyist Definition
The Nevada Assembly has introduced a bill to revise the definition of a lobbyist by removing the requirement to appear in person at the Capitol building or any other building the Legislature or their committees hold meetings. Assembly Bill 110 […]
The Nevada Assembly has introduced a bill to revise the definition of a lobbyist by removing the requirement to appear in person at the Capitol building or any other building the Legislature or their committees hold meetings.
Assembly Bill 110 will define a lobbyist as a person who communicates directly with a member of the Legislature on behalf of someone other than themselves to influence legislative action, whether or not any compensation is received.
Currently, lobbying is taking place virtually because the legislative session is closed to all but lawmakers, essential staff, and some members of the media.
However, lobbyist registration has not taken place because the definition required in person communication.
Assembly Bill 110 will revise the definition and allow the Legislative Counsel Bureau to open lobbyist registration and begin to regulate lobbying again.
February 5, 2021 •
Chicago Board of Ethics Extends Lobbyist Training Deadline
The Chicago Board of Ethics is further extending the deadline for completion of annual mandatory ethics training by registered lobbyists for the 2019-2020 training period to May 1, 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The training is completed online using […]
The Chicago Board of Ethics is further extending the deadline for completion of annual mandatory ethics training by registered lobbyists for the 2019-2020 training period to May 1, 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The training is completed online using a link available on the Board of Ethics website.
If a lobbyist terminates registration prior to the May 1 training deadline, training is not required, provided all reporting requirements have also been satisfied, including the final activity report.
February 2, 2021 •
FEC Updates Lobbyist Bundling Disclosure Threshold
Today, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) published its price index adjustments for expenditure limitations and the federal lobbyist bundling disclosure threshold. The lobbyist bundling disclosure threshold has increased for 2021 from $19,000 to $19,300. This threshold amount is adjusted annually. […]
Today, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) published its price index adjustments for expenditure limitations and the federal lobbyist bundling disclosure threshold.
The lobbyist bundling disclosure threshold has increased for 2021 from $19,000 to $19,300. This threshold amount is adjusted annually. Federal law requires authorized committees of federal candidates, leadership political action committees (PACs), and political party committees to disclose contributions bundled by lobbyists and lobbyists’ PACs.
Additionally, the FEC published its adjusted Coordinated Party Expenditure Limits for political parties for 2021.
January 28, 2021 •
South Dakota Annual Gift Limit for Lobbyists Increased
South Dakota Secretary of State Steve Barnett published the 2021 annual limit for lobbyist gifts to public officials. Each year, the annual cumulative value is adjusted. It is based on the change in the consumer price index for urban wage […]
South Dakota Secretary of State Steve Barnett published the 2021 annual limit for lobbyist gifts to public officials.
Each year, the annual cumulative value is adjusted.
It is based on the change in the consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers for the year before the immediately preceding year.
The change for 2019 was 2.3%, making the newly adjusted cumulative gift limit $106.43 for 2021.
Public officials and members of their immediate families may not accept gifts with a cumulative value greater than $106.43 from any lobbyist or principal during the 2021 calendar year.
January 26, 2021 •
North Dakota Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Add Meal Reimbursement to Compensation
North Dakota Rep. Keith Kempenich is sponsoring a bill to add reimbursement for meals to the compensation received by lawmakers who live outside Bismarck. The bill is being proposed just as the lobbyist gift ban approved by voters in 2018 […]
North Dakota Rep. Keith Kempenich is sponsoring a bill to add reimbursement for meals to the compensation received by lawmakers who live outside Bismarck.
The bill is being proposed just as the lobbyist gift ban approved by voters in 2018 is taking effect.
Lawmakers are currently paid $518 a month and receive $186 per day they attend sessions or committee meetings, plus reimbursement for lodging during the session.
They are also included on the state-funded employee health plan.
If passed, the bill would become effective August 1, 2021.
January 4, 2021 •
North Dakota Attorney General Opinion Confirms Ethics Commission Authority
Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem issued an opinion confirming the Ethics Commission is constitutionally authorized to create a rule expanding the definitions for “lobby” and “lobbyist” for purposes of the new gift rules. The opinion was issued in response to a […]
Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem issued an opinion confirming the Ethics Commission is constitutionally authorized to create a rule expanding the definitions for “lobby” and “lobbyist” for purposes of the new gift rules.
The opinion was issued in response to a request for clarification from Ethics Commission Chairman Ron Goodman.
The definitions used by the commission in the new gift rules in the Administrative Code adopted in October are broader than those passed by the Legislature in House Bill 1521.
The Ethics Commission expanded the definition of lobby and lobbyist to include attempts to influence any public official, administrative rule, or regulation rather than just the Legislature and legislation.
The new rules are not intended to expand the definition of who should be required to be registered as a lobbyist.
December 18, 2020 •
Quebec to Update Lobbyist Registry Disclosure Platform
The year 2021 will likely bring major changes to the Quebec Lobbyists Registry online lobbying activity disclosure platform. In the works since the summer of 2019, the updated web platform aims to replace the “technological obsolescence” of the current site […]
The year 2021 will likely bring major changes to the Quebec Lobbyists Registry online lobbying activity disclosure platform.
In the works since the summer of 2019, the updated web platform aims to replace the “technological obsolescence” of the current site with a modern system, to improve the user experience, and to be in line with Quebec’s 2019-2023 digital transformation strategy, according to Lobbyists Commissioner Jean-Francois Routhier.
“The modernization of the lobbyists registry is without a doubt one of the biggest projects of our institution since its creation in 2002,” Routhier stated in his December 2020 newsletter.
A user committee made up of lobbyists, public office holders, journalists, and citizens has been testing a model of the new website to validate its user-friendliness and processes.
The commissioner has emphasized that the new website’s intuitive design, simplified process for registration, and increased capacity of searching for relevant information, are of interest to both lobbyists and the public.
Routhier says the new platform will replace the current Lobbyists Registry platform at the end of 2021.
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