Latest Developments:
- The United States Department of Justice posted several opinions relating to the Foreign Agents Registration Act, including an opinion regarding whether a foreign company that acts as a foreign trade association must register under FARA (FARA vs. LDA opinions, opinion issued 6/20/23). That opinion concluded that because the trade association was not acting under the direction of a foreign government or political party or in a foreign government’s political interests, FARA registration was not required.
- The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued an amended opinion, in No on E v. Chiu, along with an order denying a rehearing en banc, thus upholding the City of San Francisco’s secondary contributor disclosure requirements. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the plaintiff-appellants plan to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
In Case You Missed It:
- Citizens United under Review: Senator Josh Hawley announced the introduction of the Ending Corporate Influence in Elections Act, which would ban corporate political spending in federal elections. Real Clear Politics has more details on his plans.
- Pay to Play in Mississippi: Mississippi Today reports that of the 88 donors who gave at least $50,000 to Governor Tate Reeves’ campaign, 15 of those donors have received a total of $1.4 billion in state contracts and grants since the Governor took office.
- San Diego Ethics Commission Still Struggling: The San Diego City Ethics Commission has lacked enough members to function. The seven-member board had three vacancies. The San Diego Union Tribune reports that the Mayor’s nomination of two candidates resulted in one being confirmed and one, the former County Sheriff, withdrawing.