House Bill No. 6320 seeks to enhance the regulation of lobbyist contributions by prohibiting such contributions to legislators or state officers running for municipal office during legislative sessions. The bill amends section 9-610 of the general statutes by deleting certain definitions and inserting new language that clarifies "municipal office" as elective positions for which only the electors of a specific town, city, borough, or political subdivision can vote, explicitly excluding state senator or representative roles. It establishes that lobbyists and their associated political committees are barred from contributing to candidates for the General Assembly, state offices, or municipal office candidates who are also members of the General Assembly during any regular or special session of the General Assembly.

Additionally, the bill modifies section 9-608 concerning exploratory committees, mandating that treasurers file a notice of intent to dissolve the committee within fifteen days of a candidate's declaration of intent to seek nomination or election. It introduces guidelines for distributing any surplus from exploratory committees, including returning contributions from lobbyists during the prohibition period or donating to charitable organizations. The bill also updates definitions related to "investment services firm," "state office," and "municipal office" to ensure consistency with the new regulations. The sessional ban on contributions will apply during regular, special, and veto sessions held in odd-numbered years, and the bill is anticipated to have no fiscal impact on the state or municipalities, taking effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Committee Bill: 9-608
GAE Joint Favorable: 9-608