HB289 (2005) Detail

Relative to registration fees for lobbying and lobbyists and requiring registration of employers of lobbyists.


HB 289-FN – AS INTRODUCED

2005 SESSION

05-0074

10/09

HOUSE BILL 289-FN

AN ACT relative to registration fees for lobbying and lobbyists and requiring registration of employers of lobbyists.

SPONSORS: Rep. Weed, Ches 3; Rep. Pratt, Ches 2; Rep. P. Allen, Ches 6

COMMITTEE: Legislative Administration

ANALYSIS

This bill changes the registration fee for lobbyists who register solely to represent a nonprofit entity. The bill also adds fees for employers of lobbyists.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

05-0074

10/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Five

AN ACT relative to registration fees for lobbying and lobbyists and requiring registration of employers of lobbyists.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 Lobbyists; Employer Registration Required. Amend RSA 15:1 to read as follows:

15:1 Registration. Any person who is employed for a consideration by any other person, except the state of New Hampshire, in a representative capacity to promote or oppose directly or indirectly any legislation pending or proposed before the general court shall first enter his or her appearance with the secretary of state in a book to be kept for that purpose, which book shall be open to public inspection. Such entry shall show the full names of employer and employed, their respective residences, the usual occupation of each, the date and character of the employment or agreement therefor, the duration of the employment if it can be determined, and the special subjects of legislation, if any, to which the employment relates. If the employment varies from time to time, such entries shall be varied accordingly. An employer of such person required to enter an appearance under this section shall also register with the secretary of state in a form determined by the secretary. All registrations required under this section shall expire on December 1.

2 Lobbyists; Registration Fees. Amend RSA 15:2 to read as follows:

15:2 Registration Fee.

I. The fee for registration as a lobbyist under RSA 15:1 for any one legislative session shall be $50 for each employer. A lobbyist registering solely as a lobbyist for a nonprofit entity shall pay a $25 fee for each such entity. Each individual who acts as a lobbyist shall pay the above registration fee regardless of his affiliation with any registered lobbyist.

II. The fee for registration as an employer of a lobbyist shall be $100, or if the employer has nonprofit status, $50.

3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

LBAO

05-0074

12/10/04

HB 289-FN - FISCAL NOTE

AN ACT relative to registration fees for lobbying and lobbyists and requiring registration of employers of lobbyists.

FISCAL IMPACT:

      The Department of State states this bill will increase state general fund revenue by $17,850 in FY 2006 and each year thereafter, and increase state general fund expenditures by $2,000 in FY 2006 and each year thereafter. There will be no fiscal impact on county and local revenue or expenditures.

METHODOLOGY:

    The Department states there are currently 514 registered lobbyists, who each pay a $50 registration fee, for a total of $25,700 annually. This bill will reduce the registration fee for 254 of those lobbyists who register solely to represent a nonprofit entity from $50 to $25, which would result in a decrease in State general fund revenue of $6,350 annually. This bill will also establish a new fee for employers of lobbyists of $100, or $50 if the employer has nonprofit status. The Department estimates 147 employers would pay the $100 fee, while 190 would pay the $50 fee, resulting in an increase in State general fund revenue of $24,200 annually. The net fiscal impact on State general fund revenue is as follows:

                      FY 2006 &

                      Thereafter

    Change in Lobbyist Registration Fee ($ 6,350)

    New Lobbyist Employer Registration Fee 24,200

    Net General Fund Revenue Impact $17,850

    In addition, the Department estimates the changes proposed in this bill will increase Department administrative expenditures by $2,000 annually.