Earlier this year we predicted that battles over the definition of “coordination” and Super PAC “independence” would play a significant role in the development of campaign finance law in the coming years. In keeping with that forecast, last week, the California Fair Political Practices Commission for the first time fined
Continue Reading Fine Levied Against California Super PAC a Possible Signal of Things to Come
Senate Judiciary Committee Holds Campaign Finance Enforcement Hearing
This morning the Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism held a hearing on “Current Issues in Campaign Finance Law Enforcement.” The focus of the hearing was what the Department of Justice and Internal Revenue Service are doing to enforce campaign finance law violations post-Citizens United with respect
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Super PAC Files Challenge to New Jersey Contribution Limits
A few weeks ago the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission issued an advisory opinion indicating that it would enforce the state’s contribution limits against groups that (i) have a major purpose of influencing New Jersey elections and (ii) do so exclusively by making independent expenditures. Although the Commission recognized
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Skeptical GAO Report Considers Potential “Political Intelligence” Disclosure Requirements
A Wall Street Journal article says that a report published today by the Government Accountability Office “urges” the creation of a new disclosure regime for political intelligence firms. That’s not how we read the report.
As background, when the Senate passed the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act
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Covington Issues Client Advisory Concerning Senate PSI Campaign Finance Investigation
Today we issued a detailed advisory to clients about the anticipated campaign finance investigation by the Senate’s Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. Senator Levin, who chairs the Subcommittee, recently announced his intention to lead an investigation of “secret money” in US elections. We are following this very closely for clients, including
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Utah Corporate Disclosure Bill Signed Into Law
This year’s march of state government campaign finance reforms continues, with the Governor of Utah signing H.B. 43 into law earlier this week.
Utah already requires corporations—including nonprofits—to report how much they spend on political expenditures once they reach a $750 threshold for a calendar year. But the newly enacted
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GAO Report Signals Slow But Steady Increase In Lobbying Disclosure Act Enforcement
The Government Accountability Office this week issued its sixth annual report summarizing the results of its audit of approximately one hundred federal Lobbying Disclosure Act registrants. As we previously explained when the audits began, federal law requires the GAO to select LDA registrants on a “random” basis for an audit
Continue Reading GAO Report Signals Slow But Steady Increase In Lobbying Disclosure Act Enforcement
Florida Legislators Take First Look at Proposed Lobbyist Gift Ban Exceptions
Since 2005, Florida has had one of the strictest restrictions on lobbyists and principals giving gifts to state legislators. Except for “floral arrangements” or “other celebratory items” given on the opening day of regular session, the law flatly prohibits a lobbyist or principal from making “any expenditure” with respect to
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Tough Pay-To-Play Bill Under Consideration in Rhode Island
Rhode Island — currently a “disclosure only” pay-to-play state — is considering adding a political contributions ban to its pay-to-play repertoire. In February, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Kilmartin proposed legislation to prohibit state vendors, their ten-percent owners, their executive officers, and the spouses and minor children of
Continue Reading Tough Pay-To-Play Bill Under Consideration in Rhode Island