FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 2655

                                  C 139 L 90

BYRepresentatives R. Fisher and Pruitt

Changing reporting requirements for lobbyists and for employers of lobbyists.

House Committe on State Government

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

Lobbying.  The public disclosure laws define "lobbying" as attempting to influence the passage or defeat of any state legislation or the adoption or rejection of any rule or similar act of a state agency under the Administrative Procedure Act.  Although persons who lobby are required to register with the Public Disclosure Commission, exemptions from this requirement are established by law for a number of lobbying activities.  Registered lobbyists must file monthly reports with the commission.  Employers of lobbyists must file annual reports with the commission.

In 1987, the Legislature enacted legislation requiring registered lobbyists and employers of lobbyists to report their expenses for the following activities:  the development of legislation or rules, the development of support for or opposition to legislation or rules, and attempts to influence the development of legislation or rules.

Grass Roots Lobbying.  Grass roots lobbying is lobbying directed at the public but designed to influence legislation.  Special monthly reports regarding expenditures for grass roots lobbying must be filed with the commission.  If the expenditures would be contained in other reports that must be filed with the commission, these special monthly reports are not required.

SUMMARY:

Lobbying.  Provisions of the public disclosure law are repealed that expressly require lobbyists and their employers to report expenditures for the development of legislation or rules, the development of support for or opposition to legislation or rules, and attempts to influence the development of legislation or rules.  An association's or organization's act of communicating with the members of that association or organization does not constitute lobbying.

Contributions by a Lobbyist's Employer. The employer of a registered lobbyist must file a special report with the Public Disclosure Commission if the employer makes contributions aggregating more than $100 during a calendar month to any one of the following:  a candidate, political committee, elected official, or agency officer or employee.  The report must be filed within 15 days of the end of the month during which the contributions were made.  This reporting requirement does not apply if the contributions were made through a registered lobbyist.

Grass Roots Lobbying.  The annual report of a lobbyist's employer may no longer be used for reporting grass roots lobbying in lieu of filing a grass roots lobbying report with the commission.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 91   0

      Senate    28    20 (Senate amended)

      House 93   0 (House concurred)

EFFECTIVE:June 7, 1990