Signed by Governor Bill Ritter, Jr.

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that increases regulations on lobbyists.

Highlights:

-Relies on existing law for the definition of "covered official" as follows (Secs. 2-8):

-Governor, Lieutenant Governor, or member of the General Assembly, with respect to lobbying that involves communicating directly, or soliciting others to communicate with an elected official for the purpose of aiding in or influencing the following:
-Drafting, introduction, sponsorship, consideration, debate, amendment, passage, defeat, approval, or veto of any bill, resolution, amendment, nomination, appointment, or report; -Any other matter pending or proposed in writing by an official for consideration by either house of the general assembly or a committee thereof; or -The convening of a special session of the general assembly or the specification of business to be transacted at such special session; or
-Members of a rule-making board or commission, or a rule-making official of a state agency which has jurisdiction over the subject matter of a rule, standard, or rate, with respect to lobbying that involves communicating directly, or soliciting others to communicate with an elected official for the purpose of aiding in or influencing the drafting, consideration, amendment, adoption, or defeat of any rule, standard, or rate of any state agency having rule-making authority.

-Prohibits lobbyists from doing any of the following (Sec. 8):

-Knowingly attempting to deceive or make a false statement to a covered official regarding any material fact relating to a matter that is within the scope of the duties of the covered official; -Concealing the identity of an individual for whom the lobbyist is lobbying from a covered official; -Knowingly using a fictitious name, or a real name without the consent of the individual whose name is used, to communicate with a covered official; -Knowingly representing an interest adverse to the lobbyist's principal without first obtaining the consent of the principal after full disclosure by the lobbyist of the adverse interest; -Making any form of payment to a covered official as compensation for any interest in real or personal property or the provisions of service in excess of the amount of compensation that would be paid by an individual who is not a lobbyist for such interest of services in the ordinary course of business; -Making loans to a covered official or engaging in any other transaction with an official with the intention of making the official personally obligated to the lobbyist; -Attempting to influence the vote of a covered official in connection with any pending matter by threat of a political reprisal, including limiting the promise of financial support, or opposition to, the official's candidacy at any future election; -Seeking to influence a covered official by communicating with the official's employer; -Causing to be introduced, or influencing the introduction of legislation, amendment, standard, rule, or rate for the purpose of afterwards being employed to secure its passage or defeat; -Receiving compensation for lobbying while serving as a state officer or employee of the state central committee of a political party; -Making campaign contributions in excess of the limitations established by existing law; -Promising to solicit a campaign contribution during the period when lobbyists are prohibited from making contributions; -Employing, subcontracting, or paying compensation to an individual for lobbying who has not registered as a lobbyist; and -Engaging in any other practice that "discredits the practice of lobbying or the General Assembly."

-Expands disclosure statement requirements with respect to expenditures for gifts or entertainment purposes for the benefits of covered officials equal to $200 or more to include professional lobbyists (Sec. 2). -Requires professional lobbyists to file the aforementioned disclosure statements within 15 days of the end of the first calendar month in which any contribution or gross income for lobbying is received or any expenditure is made or incurred for lobbying, and requires such statement to be filed within 15 days after the end of each subsequent month during the fiscal year (Sec. 2). -Requires professional lobbyists to file cumulative disclosure statements for the entire fiscal year on or before July 15 covering the fiscal year immediately preceding the date on which the cumulative disclosure statement is due (Sec. 2). -Requires the Secretary of State to impose an additional penalty of $100 for each day that a disclosure statement required to be filed is not filed by the close of the business day, starting after the close of the eleventh business day on which the disclosure statement has not been filed after the due date (Sec. 2). -Relies on existing law for the classification of the crime of willfully failing to submit a disclosure statement or willfully providing false statements or material omissions on a disclosure statement as a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $5,000, up to 12 months imprisonment, or both (Sec. 2). -Authorizes volunteer lobbyists to file disclosure statements within 15 days of the end of the first calendar month in which the volunteer lobbyist engaged in any lobbying (Sec. 2). -Authorizes volunteer lobbyists to register through the on-line registration system maintained by the Secretary of State or the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives, and specifies that the General Assembly encourages all volunteer lobbyists to register via this system (Sec. 3). -Requires the Secretary of State to revoke the certificate of registration of any lobbyist whose privileges before the General Assembly have been suspended following action on a written complaint against the lobbyist in accordance with the rules on lobbying practices established by the General Assembly (Sec. 6).

Full Bill Text