Signed by Governor Steve Sisolak

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires lobbyists to register with the legislature and allows them to do so online.

Highlights:

• Defines “lobbyist” as a person who communicates directly with a member of the Legislative Branch on behalf of someone other than himself or herself to influence legislative action, whether or not any compensation is received for the communication (Sec. 1).

• Requires every person who acts as a lobbyist during a regular or special session to, no later than 2 days after the beginning of that activity, file a registration statement with the Director in such form as the Director prescribes unless the person qualifies for an exemption or exception from the requirements to register as a lobbyist (Sec. 2.3-1).

• Prohibits the Director of the Legislative Counsel from accepting a registration statement from a former legislator who was a member of the Legislature during the immediately preceding regular session of a lobbyist who receives any compensation for his or her lobbying activities unless the former Legislator certifies in writing, under penalty of perjury, that he or she qualifies (Sec. 2.3-2).

• Prohibits a lobbyist from knowingly or willfully making any false statement or misrepresentation of facts (Sec. 2.7-1):

• To any member of the Legislative Branch to persuade or influence the member in any legislative action; and

• In a registration statement or report concerning lobbying activities filed with the Director.

• Prohibits a member of the Legislative Branch or a member of his or her immediate family from knowingly or willfully soliciting or accepting any gift from a lobbyist, whether or not the Legislature is in a regular or special session (Sec. 2.7-3).

• Prohibits a client of a lobbyist from making that lobbyist’s compensation or reimbursement contingent in any manner upon the outcome of any legislative action (Sec. 2.7-4).

• Prohibits a person from knowingly acting as a lobbyist during a regular or special session without being registered as required by that section, unless the person qualifies for an exemption or exception from the requirements to register as a lobbyist according to any regulations (Sec. 2.7-5).

• Prohibits a member of the Legislative or Executive Branch of the State Government and an elected officer or employee of a political subdivision from receiving compensation or reimbursement other than from the State or the political subdivision for personally engaging in lobbying (Sec. 2.7-6).

• Prohibits a lobbyist from making, committing to make, or offering to make a monetary contribution to a Legislator, the Lieutenant Governor, the Lieutenant Governor-elect, the Governor, or the Governor-elect unless such action is otherwise authorized (Sec. 2.7.9).

• Requires any person who, on or after the effective date of this act, qualifies as a lobbyist according to this act, to do the following during the 81st Session of the Nevada Legislature (Sec. 3):

• File a registration statement no later than 14 days after the effective date of this act, or no later than 2 days after the beginning of the person’s lobbying activity unless the person qualifies for an exemption or exception from the requirements to register as a lobbyist according to any regulations; and

• Include in the first report a report concerning the person’s lobbying activities during the period beginning on February 1, 2021, and ending on the effective date of this act.

Full Bill Text