Essential Ethics

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,…

Latest Developments: Minnesota Chamber Challenges State’s Foreign-Influence Ban in Federal Court: MPR News reports that the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce filed a lawsuit in federal court, which seeks to block enforcement of the state’s law that imposes…

Latest Developments: U.S. Senate Passes Bills Requiring Lobbyists Registered Under the LDA To Disclose Foreign Ownership or Influence: The United States Senate recently passed two bills that would require lobbyists, registered under the Lobbying Disclosure Act…

Latest Developments: The Federal Election Commission (FEC) Votes Against Requesting Public Comment on Use of AI in Campaign Ads: At its open meeting on June 22, 2023, the FEC discussed a petition requesting guidance that the prohibition on…

Latest Developments: The State of California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) Adopted SB 1439 Regulations: On June 15, 2023, the FPPC held a meeting to adopt final regulations on the application of SB 1439, which expanded the reach…