The Ethics Commission has issued an informal memorandum regarding a new training certification requirement for lobbyist registration.

Beginning September 19, 2013, Part C of the registration form will require the lobbyist to certify he or she has completed the required training in the last two-year period or will complete the training prior to being a regulated lobbyist for two years.

The next live training is scheduled for October 21, 2013. Lobbyists can verify their training status and complete the training online by accessing their account at https://lobby.ethics.state.md.us.

City Council has passed the Public Ethics and Financial Disclosure Ordinance (O-41-12), as required by a 2011 state law. The ordinance does not change lobbyist registration or reporting dates, but does add definitions, gift restrictions, and penalties for violations.

Lobbying will now include grassroots activities, but reporting obligations remain focused on expenditures for the benefit of officials and employees. Tickets to sporting events will no longer be permitted and the Annapolis Ethics Commission may impose a fine of $5,000 for each violation.

The legislation was pre-approved by the State Ethics Commission in late October, 2012, allowing the ordinance to take effect January 1, 2014.

The General Assembly passed a campaign finance reform bill before adjourning on Monday, April 8, 2013.

House Bill 1499 increases contribution limits to any one campaign committee from $4,000 to $6,000 and from $10,000 to $24,000 for total contributions to all campaign committees within a four-year election cycle. The bill also curbs giving through multiple corporate entities for the purpose of evading contribution limits, increases reporting requirements, and gives the State Board of Elections new enforcement powers.

Unless vetoed by Governor O’Malley, the new limits will be effective for the election cycle beginning January 1, 2015.

Photo of the Maryland State House by Thisisbossi on Wikipedia.

The Senate has passed a campaign finance reform bill, including a provision allowing public financing of local campaigns. House Bill 1499 raises campaign contribution limits, for the first time in two decades, from $10,000 to $24,000 within a four-year election cycle. The bill also curbs giving through multiple corporate entities for the purpose of evading contribution limits, increases reporting requirements, and gives the State Board of Elections new enforcement powers.

An amendment to remove a public financing option for counties was rejected by a 25-16 vote.

The Senate passed House Bill 1499 and cross-filed Senate Bill 1039 on Wednesday, April 3, 2013 by a 45-2 vote. The bill now must be reconciled with a different version passed by the House.

The Ethics Commission is now accepting online lobbyist registrations for 2013.

Lobbyists can register by creating an account and following the detailed instructions here.

Additional information and paper registrations are still available on the commission’s website.

Mayor Joshua J. Cohen has introduced legislation to revise the city’s ethics code, based upon recommendations prepared by the City Ethics Commission. Ordinance 41-12 will grant the commission additional power to impose penalties for ethics violations and will prohibit city officials from accepting tickets to sporting events.

The proposed legislation was reviewed and approved by the State Ethics Commission in late October. Annapolis is required by a 2011 state law to revise certain provisions of its ethics code.

Council President Jack Young has introduced legislation on behalf of city watchdog officials to close gaps in Baltimore’s ethics code after reviewing attempts to take advantage of loopholes.

The bill would prohibit council members from accepting gifts from anyone who has lobbied the city in the previous 12 months, even if the lobbyist is no longer registered.

Last January a prominent lobbyist attempted to give a gift, including tickets, to a council member during a short interlude between the expiration of the lobbyist’s 2011 registration and the eventual 2012 registration renewal.

Governor Martin O’Malley has announced a special session of the general assembly. The session, scheduled to begin August 9, 2012, is for the purpose of considering a new casino in Prince George’s County and table games at the state’s five other slots locations.

If approved by the Legislature, the gambling expansion would also need voter approval. Proponents hope to pass legislation in time for the issue to appear on this November’s ballot.

Photo of Governor Martin O’Malley by Jay Baker in Wikipedia.

The commission studying state campaign finance laws is likely to recommend raising the limits on campaign contributions.

At Monday’s meeting, the commission took no formal vote on a final recommendation, but appeared to reach a consensus on raising the total amount an individual may contribute to state election campaigns from the current $10,000 to $25,000 during a four-year election cycle. The commission also reached consensus on raising the current limit to any single candidate from $4,000 to at least $5,000 and possibly to $7,000 in any four-year election cycle. The current contribution limits have been in place for 19 years.

At the next meeting on July 16, 2012, the commission plans to discuss a total ban on contributions from business corporations and from companies doing business with the state.

“Sunlight Foundation Unveils New Legislative Alert Service, Monitoring Action On Capitol Hill And All 50 States” by Sarah Lai Stirland in TechPresident.

“More on Legislative Turnover” by Karl Kurtz in NCSL’s The Thicket.

Arizona: “Fewer candidates vie for Arizona Legislature” by Mary Jo Pitzl in The Arizona Republic.

Maryland: “Maryland Becomes 40th State to Ratify 17th Amendment” by Karl Kurtz in The Thicket.

Redistricting

Alabama: “Inside the Statehouse: New district lines won’t change legislature” by Steve Flowers in the Jacksonville News.

Alaska: “Lawsuit claims redistricting procedure violates federal law” by Becky Bohrer in the Anchorage Daily News.

Illinois: “Ill. Supreme Court rejects GOP challenge to state legislative remap” by Dave McKinney in the Chicago Sun-Times.

Kansas:  “In Kansas redistricting, new boundaries quickly bring new faces” by Dave Helling in the Kansas City Star.

Missouri: “Missouri senator will pursue redistricting changes” by The Associated Press in the Kansas City Star.

Photo of the Illinois State Capitol by Nikopoley in Wikipedia.

Governor Martin O’Malley has ordered the General Assembly to convene a special session on May 14th.

Lawmakers are expected to pass legislation regarding state revenues and income-tax increases.

The special session became necessary after a stalemate during the regular session between the House and Senate.

The photo of the Chamber of the Maryland House of Delegates courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Florida: “In wake of ‘Taj Mahal’ scandal, Florida Supreme Court approves new lobbying rules for judges” by Lucy Morgan in the Tampa Bay Times.

Florida: “Florida Supreme Court to judges: No lobbying” by Lucy Morgan in The Miami Herald.

Georgia: “Georgia ethics commission goes easy on late campaign reports after change in process” by Walter C. Jones in The Florida Times-Union.

Idaho: “Retiring ID Rep. lands at lobbying, marketing firm” by The Associated Press in the Idaho Statesman.

Kansas:  “Corporations drop memberships in ALEC, which has strong ties to Kansas Legislature” by Scott Rohtschild in the Lawrence Journal-World.

Maryland: “Campaign Finance Transparency Measures Pass General Assembly” by Megan Poinski in Southern Maryland Online.

Massachusetts: “House may pull PR, CEOs, communications specialists into lobbying definition” by Colleen Quinn in the Boston Herald.

The General Assembly adjourned Monday at midnight following a tense debate that failed to pass a revenue plan needed to avoid hundreds of millions of dollars in budget cuts.

Democratic legislators say they will ask Governor Martin O’Malley to call a special session for more time to work on the revenue package and other measures.

The governor would not say whether he planned to call for a special session.

Photo of the Maryland State House by Thisisbossi on Wikipedia.

Alaska: “Alaska Redistricting Board says it has adopted new election districts” by Matt Buxton in the Fairbanks Daily News Miner.

Arizona: “Brewer signs bill to keep Arizona redistricting commission going while new maps are pending” by The Associated Press in The Republic.

Florida: “Redrawn Senate map passes House, scramble for seats begin” by Mary Ellen Klas in the Tampa Bay Times.

Florida: “Legislature ends redistricting session, new Senate map approved” by Mary Ellen Klas in The Miami Herald.

Idaho: “Redistricting will shake up Idaho Legislature” by Sean Ellis in the Capital Press.

Kansas: “Kan. House to debate congressional remap bill” by The Associated Press in the Salina Journal.

Maryland: “Group seeks referendum on new Md. congressional map” by Annie Linskey in The Baltimore Sun.

Missouri: “Missouri Supreme Court upholds House districts” by Elizabeth Crisp in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

West Virginia: “W.Va. lawmakers seek OK of congressional districts” by Eric Eyre in the Charleston Gazette.

Wisconsin: “Judges: Collaboration needed on Wis. voting maps” by The Associated Press on Madison.com.

Wisconsin: Opinion piece “Redistricting decision offers important lesson” by Christine Neumann-Ortiz in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.