Essential Ethics

Latest Developments: The Federal Election Commission staff has issued a draft opinion regarding the circumstances under which a political committee can receive contributions that consist of cryptocurrency mining operations.  The opinion is subject to public comment and review by…

Latest Developments: The Governor of New Mexico signed B. 3, a campaign finance measure.  Among other things, the measure revises campaign finance reporting deadlines and reporting thresholds, and revises the dates when an election cycle begins and…

Latest Developments:  The Governor of New Mexico signed the State Ethics Commission Act, S.B. 668.  The measure gives the new commission authority over the regulation of campaign finance and lobbyists, among other things.  The bill takes effect on…

Latest Developments: The Federal Election Commission met this week and considered an agenda laden with draft advisory opinions.  The Commission approved three opinions, including Opinion 2019-01 for It Starts Now, which permits a new form of funds that consist of earmarked funds solicited…

Latest Developments: S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals – update:  We previously reported that the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals decided that Missouri’s requirement that all lobbyists register and report their activity even if not receiving compensation is…

Latest Developments: The Governor of Arkansas signed B. 256 (Act 342) to prohibit state constitutional officers and legislators from registering as a lobbyist in any jurisdiction while serving as an elected official in the state.  The measure takes effect 90…

Latest Developments: The Hawaii State Ethics Commission announced that its new Lobbying Electronic Filing System is now available.  The new system permits e-filing of lobbyist registrations and expenditure reports. The New York State Senate unanimously passed S 3167, which would ban procurement…

Latest Developments: The New York Joint Commission on Public Ethics held its monthly meeting this week.  Among the items on its agenda, was a discussion on the state’s lobby application.  The Commission plans to have its new filing…

Latest Developments: The Governor of Wyoming signed Senate File 18 (Chapter 1, 2019 Statutes) which, among other things, increases the frequency of campaign reporting for PACs and candidates, and requires reporting of independent expenditures and electioneering communications.  The measure takes effect…

Latest Developments: The New Mexico Legislature finally introduced a bill to implement a state ethics commission.  Following adoption at the November election of a state constitutional amendment that required creation of an independent ethics commission, a 49-page…