CCS/SS/SCS/HB 1979 - This act modifies provisions relating to certain public officials becoming lobbyists. SOLICITATION OF LOBBYISTS (SECTION 105.456)
Under this act, no member of the General Assembly or any statewide elected official shall solicit any registered lobbyist for any position with a hiring date beginning after such person is no longer an elected official, whether compensated or not, while such person holds office.
This provision is identical to a provision contained in SB 147 (2015), HB 188 (2015), HB 327 (2015), HB 417 (2015), HB 509 (2015), HCS/HBs 1258 & 1267 (2014), HB 1340 (2014), and HB 1851 (2014).
SOLICITATION OF LEGISLATORS (SECTION 105.456)
The act also provides that all individuals and business entities are prohibited from soliciting a member of the General Assembly to become a legislative lobbyist while such a member is currently holding office. Furthermore, members of the General Assembly are prohibited from soliciting clients to represent as a legislative lobbyist.
This provision is identical to a provision in SB 147 (2015) and substantially similar to a provision in HB 1395 (2016).
COOLING OFF PERIOD (SECTION 105.455)
The act specifies that any person elected or appointed to the office of State Senator, State Representative, or any statewide office who later vacates his or her office may not act, serve, or register as a lobbyist until 6 months after the expiration of the term of office for which the person was elected. This limitation also applies to persons holding an office that requires an appointment by the Governor and confirmation by the Senate. Moreover, the limitation is only applied to lobbyists who are employed by a lobbyist principal for pay or other compensation. These provisions do not apply to lobbyists who act, serve, or register as a lobbyist for a state department or agency.
This provision is similar to HB 1573 (2016) and certain provisions contained in SB 807 (2016), SB 643 (2016), SS#2/SCS/SB 11 (2015), SB 123 (2015), SB 147 (2015), HB 188 (2015), HB 228 (2015), HB 327 (2015), HB 426 (2015), and HB 509 (2015), SB 488 (2014), SB 512 (2014), SB 927 (2014), SS/SB 966 (2014), HB 1340 (2014), and HB 1851 (2014).
Pursuant to Section 105.478, any knowing violation of the provisions of this act is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor for a first violation, and a Class D felony for all subsequent violations.
SCOTT SVAGERA