The bill amends Section 42-139.1-3 of the Rhode Island Lobbying Reform Act to expand the definition of "lobbying" to include activities aimed at influencing municipal government officials and local fire districts, in addition to state executive and legislative branches. The new legal language inserted into the current law specifies that "lobbying" now encompasses actions directed at "any member of the executive or legislative branch of state or municipal government, local fire district, or any public corporation." This change broadens the scope of the act to ensure that lobbying activities at the local level are subject to the same regulations as those at the state level.

Additionally, the bill clarifies the definitions of various terms related to lobbying, such as "lobbyist," "lobbying firm," and "compensation," while also outlining specific exemptions for certain individuals and groups who are not considered lobbyists under the act. These exemptions include licensed attorneys representing clients in specific proceedings, qualified expert witnesses, and members of governmental bodies acting in their official capacities, among others. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage.