Latest Developments:
- North Carolina House Bill 259 became law without the Governor’s signature. The 635-page law is primarily an appropriations bill but contains two important changes for lobbyists. First, it doubles registration fees for lobbyists and lobbyist employers from $250 to $500. (Page 562.) Second, it permits registered lobbyists and liaison personnel to obtain pass-facilitated entry to the legislative complex upon passing a criminal background check. (Pages 526-527.) The bill took effect retroactively on July 1, 2023.
- Fresno County Contribution Limit Ruled Unconstitutional: California City News reports that a judge issued a ruling finding a county limit on transfers from non-county office campaign accounts to a county office campaign account to be unconstitutional. The law permitted incumbents to transfer unlimited sums between county office accounts.
Reminders:
- The Practising Law Institute Presents: Corporate Political Activities 2023: Complying with Campaign Finance, Lobbying, and Ethics Laws, a two-day event on October 16-17. Join Co-Chair Jason Kaune and Elli Abdoli of Nielsen Merksamer, along with a range of speakers who will discuss the latest developments in these areas as they pertain to PACs, lobbyists, corporations, and trade associations. Register on PLI’s website.
In Case You Missed It:
- Ethics on the First Monday in October: The Washington Post exclaims that, “For Supreme Court, ethics have become the elephant in the room.”
- Is the Speaker Ouster Payback for an Ethics Probe?: The New York Times reports on the claim that the motion to vacate former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy was related to the House Ethics Committee probe of Matt Gaetz.
- Menendez’ Career Danced with Corruption: The New York Times chronicles the career of Senator Bob Menendez, which took off when he testified against his mentor in a trial about corruption in Union City, New Jersey.
- Los Angeles Council Member Accused of Taking Prohibited Gifts: The L.A. Times reports on a Las Vegas trip provided by a business person and developer that exceeded gift limits.