Essential Ethics

Latest Developments: The U.S. Department of Justice announced that a former U.S. Ambassador was sentenced to 36 months’ probation and fined $93,350 for lobbying in violation of revolving door restrictions and failure to disclose gifts received while in office. The…

Latest Developments: The Governor of California signed AB 421, which revises referendum procedures, including changes to the way a measure is described on the ballot, permitting withdrawal of a measure similar to the process for withdrawing…

Latest Developments: The San Jose, California, City Council adopted changes to the city’s ethics laws that includes eliminating penalties for filing late lobbying disclosures and reducing revolving door restrictions from two years to one year. San Jose Spotlight explains that among the…

Latest Developments: The Governor of California signed SB 678, which requires “a person who is paid by a committee to support or oppose a candidate or ballot measure on an internet website, web application, or digital application……

Latest Developments: New Colorado Regulations: The Colorado Department of State adopted amendments to its campaign finance regulations. “This included establishing reporting requirements for independent expenditures, direct ballot measure expenditures, and earmarked contributions and expenditures; (and) detailing when an organization meets…

Latest Developments: The Federal Election Commission (FEC) Will Request Public Comment on Use of AI in Campaign Ads and Refrains From Advising on Whether a Leadership PAC Can Set Up Additional Accounts for Independent Expenditures: At…

Latest Developments:  Louisiana Gift Limit Increase: The Louisiana Board of Ethics published a final rule which increases the state limit for “food, drink, or refreshments” to $77 at a single event. The increase from $70 applies retroactively from July 1,…

Latest Developments: In June, A California Superior Court refused to enjoin the state’s recent expansion of state pay-to-play laws to cover local officials. The court’s decision is now final; no appeal was filed. The court reasoned that “The United…

Latest Developments: New York State Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (COELIG) Delays Acting on Public Comments Regarding Training for Lobbyists: During its open meeting on July 19, 2023, COELIG’s Education Committee presented staff responses to public comments about…

Latest Developments: Hawaii Prohibits Lobbyist Campaign Contributions and Expenditures: Hawaii SB 1493 was signed into law and effective immediately, it prohibits, during any legislative session and the five days before and after each session, lobbyist contributions and expenditures,…