Latest Developments:
- The Governor of Montana approved B. 224. Among other things, the bill increases contribution limits for contributions from PACs and individuals to candidates for state and local offices and repeals the aggregate limit on contributions that candidates may accept from PACs. The measure takes effect October 1, 2021.
- The Governor of Minnesota approved F. 9, a tax bill that includes a provision to prohibit a “sitting member of the legislature” from working for or receiving compensation from any lobby or government relations business. The Minnesota Reformer explains that the measure is aimed at a current member who took a position as director of public affairs for a D.C. area lobby firm. The provision takes effect January 3, 2023.
- Hawaii’s Legislature approved HB 671 last April, which broadens the state’s one-year revolving door restrictions imposed on former legislators and extends the application of the law to executive officeholders and senior appointees. Inasmuch as the Governor failed to sign or veto the measure within 45 business days of adjournment, the measure now becomes law and will take effect on January 1, 2022.
In Case You Missed It:
- Corporate Campaign Disclosure Bill Introduced: A Pennsylvania Congressman introduced R. 4359, which would “require corporations to disclose to their shareholders the amounts disbursed for certain political activity.”
- Campaign Finance Enforcement Ignored: The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reports that more than $150,000 in fines for failing to file timely campaign disclosure statements have gone unpaid since 2018. “Only about $30,000 worth of fines were paid – or waived due to valid excuse – over the three years.” The parties involved in enforcement agree that the current law needs work. “‘Ironing out the statutes regarding deadlines, consequences, and the specific duties of the state agencies involved would help us hold candidates and political committees more accountable and streamline the overall process,’” according to a spokesperson for the Secretary of State.
- Fine for Failing to Register: The Idaho Capital Sun reports that the state’s Attorney General fined a lobbyist for a nonprofit “$250 for lobbying on Idaho’s higher education budget without first registering as a lobbyist.” The lobbyist first registered on April 14, 2021, but reported $14,000 in expenditures in March. The Secretary of State requires that lobbyists register before engaging in any lobbying activity and referred the matter to the Attorney General, who imposed the “Late Lobbyist Registration Fine.”
- Ethics Agency Conundrum: The Los Angeles Times explains the difficult situation that ethics agencies, such as the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission, face when they are financially dependent on the elected officials they regulate. One council candidate noted, “If you require Ethics Commission employees to be beholden to the City Council for their salaries, for the department’s funding, you give them no power.” Another observer put it more bluntly, “If you are the executive director, of course you know there’s super weirdness with having to ask for a pay raise from the officers you’re overseeing.”
- More Campaign Finance Challenges?: According to an analysis by The Hill, the “Supreme Court’s recent donor disclosure ruling could embolden future challenges to campaign finance rules.” The article points out that Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that disclosure laws must be “narrowly tailored” to important government interests. Experts say Roberts’s opinion effectively toughens the standard of review for all laws that compel disclosure, including election rules.”