Current News

Ethics Commission FY2020 Budget Request

Ethics Commission’s FY 2020 Budget Request Power Point presentation to subcommittees of the House and Senate Appropriations and Budget Committee, click here to view.

Late Filing Fees Ordered Against 7 Lobbyists and Liaisons

Compliance orders assessing late filing fees were issued in April for the March 2019 report, click here to view the list.  The Executive Lobbyist were all filed timely.

Question of the Week

Lobbyist Question:  As a lobbyist who lobbies the legislature, governor and their staff is there ever a time when I need to report staff members or legislators separately for group events sponsored by a lobbyist principal?

Answer:  Yes

1. Events to which all members of the legislature are invited:  Since everyone is invited there is no need to report individuals separately from the group, the lobbyist representing the lobbyist principal must report the cost of the food and beverage at the event.
2. Caucus Events:  A caucus event only includes food and beverage provided while the caucus is engaged in caucus business.  It does not include times when all members of a caucus are together and not engaged in Caucus business.  However, only the members of the caucus and the staff assigned to support that caucus are included within the lump sum reporting option for a lobbyist principal.  Any legislators or staff members that are not a part of the caucus or that are not assigned to the caucus and partake in food and beverage must be reported individually. 
3. Committee/Subcommittee Events:  This exception only applies when (1) a majority of the members of the committee or subcommittee are in attendance, and (2) the event is held in the state capitol building.  Only those legislators and staff assigned to that specific committee or subcommittee are included within the lump sum reporting option for the lobbyist principal.  All legislators and legislative staff that are not assigned to that committee or subcommittee and consume food and beverage must be reported individually.

Click here for more Questions of the week

• Click here for Helpful Tips
• Guardian YouTube Videos - Click here to see The Guardian "Publications" page with demonstration videos and step-by-step instructions

Upcoming Reporting Deadlines

2018 Elections: Next Candidate Committee Contribution and Expenditure Report Due 

Click here to see all election calendars.

Next PAC, State Political Party Committee, and Non-2018 Election Candidate Committee Report Due

Next Legislative Lobbyist or Legislative Liaison Report Due

Next Executive Lobbyist Report Due