SPONSOR: Coleman (97)
This bill prohibits state agency or department employees from engaging in any activity requirement registration as a legislative lobbyist. However, legislative liaisons will not be considered legislative lobbyists and will be exempt from registration requirements.
An employee of a state agency may provide personal opinions and testify at committee hearings so long as they are not compensated in any manner for doing so and do not engage in such practices during work hours.
The bill specifies that political activities of elected statewide officials, members of the General Assembly, Judicial Branch, public union members acting on behalf of the union, and the staff and employees of elected officials and judges are not included in these restrictions.
The bill also creates a class B misdemeanor offense for the unauthorized contribution of public funds to support or oppose ballot measures or candidates or to hire legislative lobbyists or provide anything of value to a person required to register as a legislative lobbyist.
This bill is similar to HB 2170 (2018).
Statutes affected: