50-State Lobbying and Gifts Round-Up: IA, NM and TN
Over the past few months, several states have enacted lobbying and gift law changes or issued new guidance clarifying certain requirements. Many of these changes took effect on or around July 1 of this year. Several of the more significant developments are summarized below:
Iowa
In April, state lawmakers revamped the state's lobbying laws, eliminating the requirement that executive branch lobbyists register with the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board. Now, all registrations and reports are filed electronically with the chief clerk of the House of Representatives and the secretary of the Senate, including those individuals whose sole activity is lobbying the executive branch. In addition, the new law amends the effective dates for lobbyist registrations.
New Mexico
State legislators have expanded some of New Mexico's gift and honoraria restrictions to cover elected and appointed officials and employees of local government agencies.
Tennessee
Volunteer State lawmakers made an important change to Tennessee's lobbyist employer reporting deadlines. Under the new law, former S.B. 1227, the reporting deadlines for the semi-annual lobbyist employer reports have moved from their prior due dates of May 15 and November 14. The reports will now be due on August 14 (for the six-month period ending June 30) and February 14 (for the sixth-month period ending December 31). As part of transitioning to the new dates, the next report—due on February 14, 2012—will cover the period from April 1, 2011, to December 31, 2011.
