Rhode Island Lobby Reform Act
Effective January 1, 2017  

George Ticoras, Esq.,
Research Associate

On January 1, 2017, the Rhode Island Lobby Reform Act ushered in a new legal framework for lobbyists and lobbyist employers registering and reporting in the state. Senate Bill 2361 Sub A and House Bill 7388 Sub A, signed by Gov. Gina M. Raimondo on June 13, repeals the lobbying laws in Title 22 and Title 42 of the state’s statutes.

The new act simplifies lobbyist reporting requirements, increases penalties for failing to comply with lobbying requirements, and provides more investigative and administrative authority for enforcing the lobbying laws, including subpoena power.

Lobbyists and employers must file monthly activity reports for the first half of the year and quarterly activity reports for the second half of the year. Reports are due the 15th day of February, March, April, May, June, and July for activity during the calendar month immediately preceding each filing. A report is also due on October 15 for July through September activity and by January 15 for October through December activity.

The Office of Secretary of State now has the authority to adopt rules to create a schedule of administrative penalties to be assessed for minor infractions, such as the failure to timely file any of the reports. Additionally, the office is empowered to collect fines and registration fees.

Knowingly and willfully violating the Lobby Reform Act is punishable with a civil penalty of up to $5,000 per violation and is a misdemeanor criminal conviction carrying a fine of up to $1,000 and imprisonment of up to one year. The penalty for violations may also include the revocation of a registration for a period of up to three years.

A new web-based portal developed by the Office of Secretary of State allows for lobbyist registration and reporting.

Summary of Changes UPDATE
Note Recent Changes to Compliance Regulations 

Michael Beckett, Esq., Research Manager

CALIFORNIA: The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) approved regulations to make biennial cost of living adjustments to campaign contribution and gift limits applicable from January 1, 2017, through December 31, 2018. The newly amended regulations increase campaign contribution limits by $200 for legislative candidates and $1,000 for gubernatorial candidates. The aggregate annual gift limit is set to change from $460 to $470 per donor.

FEDERAL: Changes to regulations concerning gifts for federal employees take effect January 1, 2017. Among the changes the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) made include a nonbinding recommendation employees consider declining otherwise permissible gifts if they believe a reasonable person with knowledge of the relevant facts would question the employee’s integrity or impartiality as a result of accepting the gift. Additionally, federal officials who are required to be granted permission to attend widely attended events must now seek the permission in writing. The OGE declined to change the $20 threshold for accepting a gift. Amendments to the rules made by the OGE were published on November 18 in the Federal Register.

FLORIDA: Training sessions are available to assist lobbyists in getting to know the new House Rules adopted last month. Lobbyists are now required to disclose the issues they are lobbying by filing an electronic notice of appearance; former members of the Legislature are prohibited from lobbying the House for six years; and no member of the House may accept private plane travel from a lobbyist or a corporation employing lobbyists. The Senate also passed rules, but without such sweeping changes.

GEORGIA: The Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission announced the lobbyist registration renewal window for 2017. Current lobbyists who do not owe any fees, fines, penalties, or reports may renew their registrations online beginning December 1, 2016, until 12:00 p.m. on January 13, 2017. Lobbyists who fail to timely renew registrations must register as a new lobbyist using paper forms. Lobbyist badges are also expected to be sent much sooner than in past years. The commission has asked lobbyists to allow up to two weeks for badges to be delivered.

SOUTH DAKOTA: A lawsuit was filed in state court to block the government ethics overhaul recently approved by voters on November 8. The lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of Initiated Measure 22, which restricts campaign contributions and gifts from lobbyists. The group of 24 Republican lawmakers bringing suit are seeking an injunction to block the law, while South Dakotans for Integrity, the ballot question committee that supported Initiated Measure 22, has filed a motion to intervene.

Legislation We Are Tracking

At any given time, more than 1,000 legislative bills, which can affect how you do business as a government affairs professional, are being discussed in federal, state, and local jurisdictions. These bills are summarized in State and Federal Communications' digital encyclopedias for lobbying laws, political contributions, and procurement lobbying and can be found in the client portion of our website.

Summaries of major bills are also included in monthly email updates sent to all clients. The chart below shows the number of bills we are tracking in regard to lobbying laws, political contributions, and procurement lobbying.

ASK THE EXPERTS

State and Federal Communications’ Experts Answer Your Questions

Here is your chance to “Ask the Experts” at State and Federal Communications, Inc. Send your questions to experts@stateandfed.com. (Of course, we have always been available to answer questions from clients that are specific to your needs, and we encourage you to continue to call or email us with questions about your particular company or organization. As always, we will confidentially and directly provide answers or information you need.) Our replies are not legal advice, just our analysis of laws, rules, and regulations.

State and Federal Communications, Inc.
Scrapbook - December 2016

Elizabeth greeting Jim Greenwood, president of BIO. Elizabeth representing State and Federal Communications and Katrina Iserman representing Sunovion. Cavs basketball in DC. John Chames, Elizabeth Bartz, CAVs GM-David Griffin, and John O'Brian at the Verizon center in Washington DC.  Go CAVs! Kent State Alumni - Elizabeth Bartz, Pam Anderson, Diane Laney Fitzpatrick, and Linda Motosko. Go Golden Flashes! The Summit County United Way had a food drive collecting snacks to be distributed during the local school's winter break. Each year the State and Federal Communications, Inc. staff chooses one charity to donate Christmas gifts.  This year, we collected toys and electronics for the Summit County Children's Services Toy Box.  This organization offers a place for a family in financial crisis to come and choose gifts to give their children. The variety donated went way past what you see here and it was truly appreciated.

Plan to say hello at future events where State and Federal Communications, Inc.
will be attending and/or speaking regarding compliance issues.