HB1304 (2006) Detail

Relative to the scope of registration of lobbyists and statements of lobbying activities.


HB 1304-FN – AS INTRODUCED

2006 SESSION

06-2213

10/04

HOUSE BILL 1304-FN

AN ACT relative to the scope of registration of lobbyists and statements of lobbying activities.

SPONSORS: Rep. P. Sullivan, Hills 10; Rep. Gibson, Hills 19; Rep. Splaine, Rock 16

COMMITTEE: Election Law

ANALYSIS

This bill requires that lobbying include activities influencing the executive branch and administrative agencies, and that lobbyists statements include certain information and disclosures.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

06-2213

10/04

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Six

AN ACT relative to the scope of registration of lobbyists and statements of lobbying activities.

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

1 Lobbyist Registration. RSA 15:1 is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:

15:1 Registration; Definitions.

I. Any person who is employed for 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, or who engages in any other lobbying within the legislative, executive branch, or regulatory agencies, shall first enter his or her appearance with the secretary of state.

II. The secretary of state shall maintain a book or suitable record which shall be open to public inspection and made available to the public on the department’s Internet site. The available public record shall include all information required by this section and statements filed under RSA 15:3. An entry for each registered lobbyist shall show:

(a) 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, specific bills, or other lobbying activities, if any, to which the employment relates. If the employment varies from time to time, such entries shall be varied accordingly.

(b) A disclosure of the lobbyist’s business associations with public officials of the state or members of any such public official’s household.

III. All registrations required under this section shall expire on December 1.

IV. In this chapter:

(a) “Administrative action” means any action taken by an administrative official or by any agency, department, division, office, board, or commission of state government with regard to any proposal, drafting, development or consideration of a policy, practice, or rule.

(b) “Lobbying” means acting directly or soliciting others to act for the purpose of promoting, opposing, amending, or influencing in any manner the passage by the general court of any legislation or the action on that legislation by the governor or acting directly or soliciting others to act for the purpose of promoting, opposing, amending, or influencing in any manner any administrative action, nomination, or appointment.

2 Lobbyist Statements. Amend RSA 15:3, I to read as follows:

I. Each lobbyist shall file with the secretary of state itemized statements under oath of his or her fees and expenditures in connection with [his legislative ] the lobbyist’s employment, including by whom paid or to whom charged. The statement filed on April 15 shall include a list of specific bills introduced in the legislature which the lobbyist is employed to promote or oppose. The statements shall be in the form prescribed by the secretary of state, and shall be open to public inspection.

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

LBAO

06-2213

10/19/05

HB 1304-FN - FISCAL NOTE

AN ACT relative to the scope of registration of lobbyists and statements of lobbying activities.

FISCAL IMPACT:

    The Legislative Budget Assistant has determined that this legislation has a total fiscal impact of less than $10,000 in each of the fiscal years 2006 through 2010.