Updates on Developments in Campaign Finance, Lobbying & Government Ethics Law
Yesterday the Vermont House of Representatives moved the State one step closer to imposing contribution limits on independent-expenditure only committees, more commonly known as Super PACs.
As we reported here, the Senate has passed a bill (S. 82) that would limit contributions to Super PACs to $3,000, but only…
Continue Reading Vermont Moves Closer to Imposing Contribution Limits on Super PACs
In September 2012, we reported that Judge Amy Berman Jackson of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia dismissed a complaint filed by several registered lobbyists that challenged the Obama Administration’s policy barring lobbyists from federal advisory boards and commissions. Although Judge Jackson acknowledged potential implications for rights…
Continue Reading Update: Lobbyists Appeal Decision Upholding Ban on Advisory Board Service
A hot topic we’ve been tracking closely this year concerns the regulatory and legal battles over corporate political activity disclosure. This past week has been notable in two respects.
As we’ve previously reported here, in December 2012 the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) identified potential rulemakings that it might…
Continue Reading Update on Corporate Political Activity Disclosure
Last Thursday, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley signed a new campaign finance law. Among other provisions, the law requires disclosure of contributors to independent expenditure and electioneering groups. The new law, which generally goes into effect in 2015, will require disclosure of the identity of any person contributing $6,000 or…
Continue Reading New Maryland Campaign Finance Law
Although over the last year many states have exempted Super PACs—i.e., groups that only make independent expenditures—from the strictures of contributions limits, Vermont may be headed in another direction.
This is not the first chapter in the Vermont Super PAC story. As we noted last July, the Vermont…
Continue Reading Vermont Bill Proposes Cap on Contributions to State Super PACs
Yesterday, Florida Governor Rick Scott signed a campaign finance bill into law just hours before a midnight deadline. The new measure makes a number of changes to Florida’s campaign finance laws, including the following:
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Continue Reading Florida Amends Campaign Finance Law, Increasing Contribution Limits
A brewing controversy over Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy’s trip to attend the White House Correspondents’ Dinner highlights how media corporations and other firms that invite public officials to events can become embroiled in government ethics matters (h/t Eric Brown’s Political Activity Law Blog). The Governor reportedly accepted an invitation to…
Continue Reading Connecticut Governor’s Gift Rule Issue Highlights the Legal Minefield for Corporate Events
The Associated Press reports that New York State is poised to loosen lobbying disclosure requirements and tighten gift restrictions. The New York State Joint Commission on Public Ethics, which has broad jurisdiction over New York state ethics and lobbying laws, has proposed new rules governing both lobbying disclosure requirements…
Continue Reading New York State Lobbying and Ethics Rules
