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Change is
inevitable. And, it surely is guaranteed in the
business of compliance. Every day there is new
legislation in the works or being enacted in the
states on one or several levels of
government.
Our job at State
and Federal Communications is to continually
research these changes, and deliver them you, so
you stay on track with your compliance reporting
activity. That is a core value of State and
Federal Communications.
I’m asked how
often do changes occur? As a sample, let me give
you a brief overview of some changes that have
occurred in the first six months of 2006,
regarding each of our three online Executive
Source Guides on… State Lobbying LawsTM,
Political ContributionsTM and
Procurement LobbyingTM.
ESG on
State Lobbying Laws
• Florida –
On March 8, 2006, the Senate enacted SB 1856,
which adopts Joint Rule 1 relating to lobbyists
registration and compensation reporting. The
rules reflect the changes made in lobbyist
registration and reporting enacted by SB
6.
• Idaho –
With the passage of House Bill 707, sales
representatives will be required to register as
lobbyists when the bill goes into effect July 1,
2006. The first report will be due January
2007.
• Indiana –
Effective January 1, 2006, rules were
promulgated requiring registration for
individuals who lobby the executive branch in
order to influence executive branch
action.
ESG on
Political Contributions
• Utah –
Effective May 1, 2006, a corporation that is
incorporated, organized, or otherwise created
less than 90 days before the date of a
general |
election must file a
statement of organization with the lieutenant
governor's office before making a contribution
to a political action or issue committee in
association with the election [Senate Bill
55].
• Wisconsin –
2005 Wis. Laws 176, which became effective on
April 6, 2006, expands reporting requirements
for all non-resident committees active in
Wisconsin state and local elections.
• Minnesota –
Effective February 27, 2006, political
committees and funds to promote or defeat a
ballot question must itemize contributions that
in aggregate exceed $100 in a calendar
year.
ESG on
Procurement Lobbying
• California –
Effective January 1, 2006, drug-free workplace,
prohibited labor practices, and certain cell
phone contract certification requirements will
not apply to credit card purchases of goods of
$2,500 or less [c.381, Statues of 2005].
• Colorado –
There is a $40 annual registration fee for
vendors.
• Florida – The
lobbyist registration office has indicated that
in-house lobbyist are not required to file the
compensation reports. However, if a corporation
employs a contract lobbyist, that lobbyist must
file a compensation report.
As you can see,
these changes are substantial. In future issues
of Compliance Now, we will begin highlighting
ongoing changes that are posted to the State and
Federal Communications website. We believe this
will be of great value in pointing out important
legislation that may affect your
organization.
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Elizabeth
Z. Bartz - President and CEO 
