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SB 577 - This act modifies various provisions relating to ethics. Currently, the definition of legislative lobbyist only applies to those acting in the ordinary course of employment whose primary purpose is to influence legislation on a regular basis. This act broadens the definition to extend to those who influence legislation regardless of the extent of their purpose. A current provision exempting those who engage in lobbying on an occasional basis is removed. Employees and staff of the general assembly, including employees of the majority and minority caucuses of both chambers, shall file yearly financial interest statements disclosing income received totaling $5,000 or more, apart from income earned from the state, the source of the income, and the general nature of the business conducted in connection with such income. The Office of Independent Investigation is created within the Ethics Commission to investigate potential ethics violations and file ethics complaints. Complaints filed in this manner shall be handled in the same manner as all other ethics complaints. Lobbyists and lobbyist principals are barred from contributing to an incumbent legislator's candidate committee, an incumbent Governor's candidate committee, any continuing committee, or any campaign committee during a regular session of the General Assembly. The same ban applies to an incumbent governor's candidate committee, and any continuing or campaign committee when legislation from the regular session awaits gubernatorial action. The bans shall not apply to continuing committees, campaign committees, or an incumbent legislator's candidate committee formed for an office sought at a special election, 30 days before to 30 days after a special election for senator or representative. CHRIS HOGERTY
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