Latest Developments:
- The Oklahoma Ethics Commission met and adopted a new rule that revises lobbyist gift rules. The change creates an exception for informational materials provided by a lobbyist or lobbyist employer. Gifts of informational material valued at less than $100 need not be reported to the commission. Oklahoma Ethics Commission rules have the force of statutes unless rejected by the legislature in the next session. The new rule will take effect at the end of May 2021, when the legislature adjourns.
- The North Carolina State Board of Elections announced that “Effective Jan. 1, 2021, the contribution limit for North Carolina political campaigns will increase by $200, from $5,400 to $5,600. No individual or political committee may contribute more than $5,600 to a candidate committee or political committee in any election.”
In Case You Missed It:
- LLC Contribution: Politico describes a complaint filed by the former Chair of the California Fair Political Practices Commission regarding a contribution to an effort to recall the Governor of California. The recall effort received $500,000 from an LLC called Prov. 3:9. The former chair said Prov. 3:9“‘should have filed either as a recipient committee or multipurpose organization, or named the true source of funds…’” The campaign manager of the recall effort characterized the complaint as “an intimidation tactic.” The Sacramento Bee subsequently identified the member of the LLC, who “is opposing the governor for his actions limiting religious gatherings during the pandemic.”
- New Administration Balancing Act: The Hill reports that the incoming administration is facing “progressives who want his administration to work as little as possible with K Street.” However, one consultant noted that “’we also understand that corporations make up our economy and they should have a seat at the table.’” The consultant noted that “a balanced approach would be best for Biden in juggling corporate interests and progressive interests. Meeting with lobbyists isn’t a problem, she said, if Biden also speaks with other groups and individuals who are not focused on corporate interests.”
- Balancing Act Faces Tests: The Hill also tells us that “The brother of one of President-elect Joe Biden’s top advisers has recently secured a lobbying contract with (a) technology giant [Amazon].” That action puts the President-elect’s advisor in a position in which he “may need to recuse himself from matters that could potentially affect his brother’s clients.”
- No Lobby Disclosure: According to the San Jose Spotlight, a Santa Clara County Grand Jury is investigating whether San Jose’s largest school district “possibly violated government ethics laws in the process” by failing to report its lobbying activity. The district hired a consultant to meet with the city on behalf of the school district to explore housing for teachers. According to the consultant, “all meetings between city officials and him were lobbying only in the city’s definition of the word.”
- Money Not OK: The Oklahoman reports that Oklahoma Ethics Commission sued a PAC, the “Oklahoman’s For Healthy Living — for financial penalties, saying it ‘repeatedly and intentionally violated the campaign finance laws of Oklahoma.’” The PAC apparently failed to report most contributions and used prohibited corporate money to make the contributions. The Tulsa World notes that two lobbyists who ran the PAC have agreed to pay the “hefty financial penalties” for their participation as chair and treasurer of the PAC.
- Gift Limits Settlement: According to the Florida Times-Union, two lobbyists have settled complaints with the Jacksonville Ethics Commission that they paid for trips to Atlanta, Georgia for local public officials which included a private jet trip and behind dug-out seats at a Braves playoff game. The action violated the city’s $100 limit on gifts from lobbyists. The article includes a link to the settlement.