The bill amends the Lobbyist Regulation Act in New Mexico by introducing new definitions and expanding the requirements for expenditure reporting by lobbyists. Key definitions added include "beneficial client," "beneficiary," "contractual client," and "payee," which clarify the roles and relationships involved in lobbying activities. The bill also revises the definition of "expenditure" to specify what is included and excluded, and it introduces a more detailed reporting structure for lobbyists regarding their expenditures and political contributions. Notably, the threshold for reporting individual expenditures has been lowered from $100 to $50, and the required information for each expenditure has been expanded to include details such as the date, payee, beneficiary, and purpose of the expenditure.

Additionally, the bill mandates that lobbyists file their expenditure reports electronically and provides a framework for reporting timelines, including specific deadlines for different types of expenditures. It emphasizes the need for transparency by requiring lobbyists to maintain records for two years and to coordinate their reporting with their employers to avoid duplications. Organizations that spend over $2,500 on lobbying-related advertising campaigns must also register and report their activities, ensuring comprehensive oversight of lobbying efforts in the state.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 2-11-2, 2-11-6