New Brunswick Lobbying Regulations Arrive

George Ticoras, Esq.
Research Associate                   

On October 1, 2017, the first deadline arrives for a newly implemented lobbying law in the Canadian province of New Brunswick.

The Lobbyists’ Registration Act, which passed in 2014 but not proclaimed until this year, requires individuals lobbying or intending to lobby in New Brunswick to register with the Office of the Integrity Commissioner. Because of some reported difficulties in filing, Integrity Commissioner Alexandre Deschênes extended the initial July 1 deadline to October 1 for all lobbyists to file returns.

The Lobbyists’ Registration Act now requires registration by three types of entities: consultant lobbyists; in-house lobbyists employed by a person or a partnership that is not an organization; and senior officers of organizations employing an in-house lobbyist.

Information required on a registration includes the client names; the type of lobbyist being registered; the beneficiaries of the lobbying activities; and specific lobbying activity data, such as subject matter, targets, and communication methods. Both private and government funding for the lobbying activities must also be disclosed. Additionally, lobbyists must report whether payment, either in whole or in part, is contingent on the success of an undertaking.

After October 1, a consultant lobbyist must submit his or her initial return within 15 days after commencing performance of an undertaking on behalf of a client. An in-house lobbyist employed by a person or a partnership, but not an organization, must submit his or her initial return within two months after the day on which he or she becomes an in-house lobbyist. The senior officer of an organization employing an in-house lobbyist must submit an initial return within two months after the day on which the person becomes an in-house lobbyist for the organization. All registrants must subsequently file a return within 30 days after the expiration of each six-month period after the date the previous return was filed.

Additionally, a consultant lobbyist must inform the commissioner when he or she ceases to be a consultant lobbyist and is prohibited from becoming a public employee in New Brunswick for a six-month period from the date the commissioner is informed.

[The details for this article have been updated on our website in the Key Dates, Registration, and Reporting sections of the Lobbying Compliance Laws and Procurement Lobbying Compliance Laws for New Brunswick.]

Summary of Changes UPDATE
Note Recent Changes to Compliance Regulations 

Michael Beckett, Esq., Research Manager

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA: City Council voted unanimously to reject an ordinance changing San Jose’s gift ordinance to increase the gift limit from $50 to $470. The council approved the measure in its first vote, but reversed course a week later after urging from Mayor Sam Liccardo and the public to reject the ordinance. The $50 gift limit will remain in place; however, the council will consider raising the gift limit to $250 in August. The council also voted to approve an ordinance to amend lobbying reporting requirements. Effective July 27, lobbyists will be required to file a report with the city clerk each week they engage in lobbying activity in the city. Although the ordinance becomes effective 30 days after adoption, fines for failure to file weekly lobbyist reports will be suspended as a grace period until July 1, 2018.

HAWAII: Gov. David Ige signed three bills amending state lobbying and ethics laws. Among other things, the bills double the maximum administrative fine the State Ethics Commission may impose for violations of ethics or lobbying laws, amends various lobbying-related definitions, allows a former lobbyist employer to file a notice of termination when a lobbyist fails to do so, and clarifies lobbyist reporting requirements related to special legislative sessions. The bills were effective upon approval.

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND: County Council passed an ethics bill requiring training for certain county government officials and registered lobbyists. The bill requires the Ethics Commission to provide a training course for registered lobbyists at least twice a year. A registered lobbyist will be required to complete the initial training course within six months of registration, and once each year thereafter. Training is to be completed in-person or online. The Ethics Commission will have additional information closer to the effective date of August 26.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK: The City Campaign Finance Board approved rules to be effective on July 23. Under the new rules, a candidate does not have to inquire whether a contributor is doing business with the city and prohibits matching public funds for contributions intermediated by individuals doing business with city.

VERMONT: Gov. Phil Scott signed Senate Bill 8, approving the creation of a state code of ethics and a state ethics commission. The five-member commission will review cases of unethical behavior and, if necessary, send the case to the attorney general. The bill also prohibits former lawmakers and executive officers from lobbying for one year after leaving office and prohibits businesses from entering into certain contracts with state offices where they have made campaign contributions. The revolving door provision took effect July 1, while the contractor contribution restrictions are effective December 16, 2018.

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' online Compliance Laws for Government Relations Professionals. They can be found on a jurisdiction's home page.

Summaries of major bills are also included in the monthly Summary of Changes email update 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.

Jurisdiction Added to our Website

The number of municipalities and regional governments our research associates track continues to grow. We now cover almost 300 municipalities and local governments. This is part of a continuous effort to better serve the needs of our clients.

This month's new jurisdiction is:

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

National Governors Association 2017 Summer Meeting

Brian Moran, Secretary of Public Safety in the Cabinet of Governor Terry McAuliffe, with Elizabeth Z. Bartz .	Elizabeth Bartz with Fred Zeytoonjian, Apple; Katrina Iserman, Sunovion Pharmaceuticals; and Nancy Bukar, Sodexo USA.
Staff Members at the Akron Area Go Red for Women Lunch [back row:  Dave McPeek, Nicolette Koozer, Ren Koozer, Katlin Newman, Joe May, Megan Huber-Kovachik; front row:  Chris Patrizi and Rachel Logan]	Women in Government Relations, WGR, Spring Reception 2017 with Gamble Hayden, Federal Compliance Assistant; Rebecca South, Federal Compliance Associate; and Elizabeth Bartz.
STUFF THE BUS From now thru early August, the United Way of Summit County "Stuff the Bus" collection is happening at State and Federal Communications, Inc.  We have collected many pencils, notepads, rulers, etc. to fill backpacks for United Way to dispense to area school kids to use this fall.	FIRST PITCH Elizabeth Bartz hosted her staff for lunch and baseball on Sunday, July 23, at Canal Park. After throwing the ceremonial first pitch, photos were taken of Elizabeth with Rubber Ducks owner, Ken Babby. Below Elizabeth is with Webster, the Rubber Ducks mascot.

 

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