Lobby Law Changes Since 2003 In Brief
WASHINGTON, March 1, 2006 — The Center for Public Integrity surveyed the 50 states to evaluate changes to lobbying laws since its nationwide study released May 2003. At least 24 states have taken steps either to strengthen their laws or electronic disclosure systems since the Center’s study:
- 16 states made substantive changes to lobbying laws (AR, CT, FL, GA, IL, IN, LA, MA, MN, NJ, NY, NC, ND, RI, TN, WV)
- 7 additional states made electronic filing changes (DE, KS, ME, MD, MI, TX, WI)
- 1 state added access to disclosure reports on its Web site (HI)
| State | Type of Lobby Disclosure Change | Description |
| Alabama | No changes reported | N/A |
| Alaska | No changes reported | N/A |
| Arizona | No changes reported | N/A |
| Arkansas | Substantive changes | Implemented a ban on legislators becoming lobbyists until expiration of original term of office (not quite a "revolving door" provision) |
| California | No changes reported | N/A |
| Colorado | No changes reported | N/A |
| Connecticut | Substantive changes | Required more details on agencies lobbied and on procurement lobbying (lobbying on contracts) |
| Delaware | Electronic filing changes | Added an electronic signature, so no mailed copies needed (electronic reporting was already in place) |
| Florida | Substantive changes & Electronic filing changes | Made major revisions, including gift ban, compensation reporting provision, and will start electronic reporting in 2007 |
| Georgia | Substantive changes & Electronic filing changes | Made major revisions including more disclosure, "revolving door" provision and added electronic reporting |
| Hawaii | Change to Web site | Put spending reports online in image format |
| Idaho | No changes reported | N/A |
| Illinois | Substantive changes & Electronic filing changes | Made major revisions, including prohibiting lobbyists from sitting on boards, banning contingency fees and adding electronic registration |
| Indiana | Substantive changes | Put executive branch lobbying reporting provisions in place |
| Iowa | No changes reported | N/A |
| Kansas | Electronic filing changes | Added electronic reporting |
| Kentucky | No changes reported | N/A |
| Louisiana | Substantive changes | Put executive branch lobbying reporting provisions in place |
| Maine | Electronic filing changes | Electronic reporting is now mandatory (was already in place) |
| Maryland | Electronic filing changes | Added electronic reporting |
| Massachusetts | Substantive changes & Electronic filing changes | Included definitions of "clients" and "lobbyist entity" and added electronic reporting |
| Michigan | Electronic filing changes | Added electronic reporting |
| Minnesota | Substantive changes & Electronic filing changes | Limited lobbyist contributions to candidates and added electronic reporting |
| Mississippi | No changes reported | N/A |
| Missouri | No changes reported | N/A |
| Montana | No changes reported | N/A |
| Nebraska | No changes reported | N/A |
| Nevada | No changes reported | N/A |
| New Hampshire | No changes reported | N/A |
| New Jersey | Substantive changes | Made major revisions, including banning contingency fees, adding "revolving door" and procurement lobbying (lobbying on contracts) provisions |
| New Mexico | No changes reported | N/A |
| New York | Substantive changes | Added procurement lobbying (lobbying on contracts) provision |
| North Carolina | Substantive changes | Added "revolving door" provision and increased disclosure frequency |
| North Dakota | Substantive changes | Added disclosure of lobby spending on spouse and members of household |
| Ohio | No changes reported | N/A |
| Oklahoma | No changes reported | N/A |
| Oregon | No changes reported | N/A |
| Pennsylvania | No changes reported | N/A |
| Rhode Island | Substantive changes & Electronic filing changes | Lowered threshold of gift restrictions and added electronic reporting |
| South Carolina | No changes reported | N/A |
| South Dakota | No changes reported | N/A |
| Tennessee | Substantive changes & Electronic filing changes | Made major revisions, including adding "revolving door" provision, increasing lobby disclosure and banning lobbyist contributions; added electronic reporting and outside oversight of legislative conduct |
| Texas | Electronic filing changes | Added electronic reporting |
| Utah | No changes reported | N/A |
| Vermont | No changes reported | N/A |
| Virginia | No changes reported | N/A |
| Washington | No changes reported | N/A |
| West Virginia | Substantive changes | Required itemization of expenditures and more frequent disclosure |
| Wisconsin | Electronic filing changes | Added electronic reporting |
| Wyoming | No changes reported | N/A |
Return to States Outpace Congress in Upgrading Lobbying Laws