Latest Developments:
North Carolina Officials, Lobbyists Investigated for KY Distillery Tours
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is investigating alleged ethics violations stemming from a nonprofit taking legislators and lobbyists on bourbon distillery tours in Kentucky. The Raleigh News and Observer reports the investigation follows a complaint by Carolina Forward alleging the entity, Greater Carolina, was a “lobbying front,” and the second trip “may not have become public knowledge if the (33-person) entourage hadn’t shown up at a distillery drunk and unruly, which a distillery employee described on a Reddit post.” SBI Probing KY Distillery Tours by NC Lawmakers & Lobbyists
Lt. Governor Can’t Use “Unlimited” Fund in Georgia Governor’s Race
A federal court has prohibited Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones from using the $16 million he had in a “special campaign finance vehicle” that was allowed to raise unlimited funds. The court held use of the fund violated Davis v. FEC, a 2008 decision in which the U.S. Supreme Court wrote “we have never upheld the constitutionality of a law that imposes different contribution limits for candidates who are competing against each other.” Campaign Cash Spigot Turned Off – Law360 and Opinion and TRO
Arizona Senate Advances Contractor Disclosure Law, Not Hobbs Proposal
State contractors and companies who bid on state business would have to disclose “anything of value” they have given to a governor during the past five years under legislation advanced by Republican members of the Arizona Senate. Senate Bill 1186 The legislation was reportedly inspired by pay-to-play allegations against Gov. Katie Hobbs, who had proposed a different and more sweeping package of campaign finance, lobbying and procurement reforms. Governor’s Reform Package and AZ Senate passes Republican ‘pay-to-play’ reform, not Hobbs’ plan – KJZZ
Oregon Bill Seeks to Revise Landmark Campaign Finance Legislation
Oregon legislators introduced legislation to revise a landmark 2024 campaign finance law that will limit the amount of money that political candidates, corporations, unions, individuals and other groups can give to each other starting in 2027, and require a new system to track such political contributions, starting in 2028. Overview – HB4018 and Oregon Campaign Finance Law Advances The bill would make technical changes, delay the rollout schedule of the tracking system, and allocate funds to the Secretary of State.
Nebraska Law Threatens Companies’ Use of Incentives and Tax Breaks
A law intended to be tough on China is reportedly threatening incentive programs for state business and tax breaks earned by companies operating in Nebraska, because the state has interpreted its definition of “foreign adversarial company” to include companies with a subsidiary in China. Law May Cost Nebraska Companies – Flatwater Free Press
Events and Reminders:
The Oklahoma Ethics Commission has launched a temporary campaign finance portal as an “interim solution to provide disclosure to citizens of Oklahoma of the submitted local campaign finance reports filed with the OEC until the permanent enhancements in the Guardian system are fully integrated.” The portal can be found here: Oklahoma Ethics Commission – Local Campaign Finance Transparency Portal
In Case You Missed It:
N.C. Auditor Wants New Campaign Finance System by Next Summer
As a new commission meets to develop a modern campaign finance reporting system, North Carolina’s state auditor said he wants it in place by the summer of 2027, if possible, and available for use in 2027 municipal elections and the 2028 elections. State Auditor Wants New System Running By Next Summer – WUNC News
L.A. Politician Sentenced for Embezzling Campaign Funds
A Republican candidate who promoted QAnon conspiracy theories in unsuccessful campaigns against U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters was sentenced to four years in federal prison for embezzling more than $250,000 in campaign funds, including by using them for Las Vegas trips and a legal defense against a stalking charge. QAnon-Backed Politician Sentenced for Campaign Fraud – LA Times
South Carolina Bill Would Extend Time to Prosecute Illegal Lobbying
A South Carolina State Representative introduced a bill to eliminate the four-year statute of limitations for prosecuting illegal lobbying, saying “accountability should not expire.” New Bill Aims to Eliminate SOL and Bill Repealing Statute of Limitations
Big Tech Firms Lobbying Costs Surging in the E.U.
The New York Times reports that tech giants including Meta and Google spent about $178 million last year to lobby E.U. lawmakers on matters including proposed social media bans, and industry lobbying surged more than 55 percent from 2021 to 2025, quoting a report by Corporate European Observatory and another organization, LobbyControl. Tech Firms Lobbying Against Social Media Bans – NY Times