Latest Developments:
- The Federal Election Commission met this week. The agenda included a discussion of pending opinions and an interpretive rule. The Commission issued a final opinion to Defending Digital Campaigns, AO 2018-12, which allows cybersecurity services to be provided to committees for free or at a reduced charge. The Commission also discussed a draft interpretive rule that would allow national parties to use their headquarters building accounts to pay for cybersecurity measures.
- The Governor of Colorado approved B. 1248, which requires that lobbyists electronically notify the Secretary of State of new lobby activity, including a new position taken on a bill, within 72 hours. This portion of the bill takes effect on January 1, 2020.
- The New York State Joint Committee on Public Ethics announced at the end of its meeting agenda that its Executive Director, Seth Agata, would be leaving at the end of June. The Albany Times-Union reports that Agata, a former aide to Governor Cuomo, is leaving to work for a law firm that does not do business with the state.
- The Governor of Washington State signed B. 5861, which requires that each lobbyist attest, at the time of registration, that he or she has completed a training course regarding the Legislative Code of Conduct and related policies.
In Case You Missed It:
- 1-A Auto is Out of Gas: The United States Supreme Court opted not to hear an appeal in the case of 1-A Auto v. Director of OCPF, which challenged Massachusetts’ ban on corporate contributions to candidates. Bloomberg reports that the court “declined an opportunity to give businesses broader rights to contribute money to political candidates and causes.”
- Stop the Money in La Land: The Los Angeles Daily News reports that the Los Angeles City Council requested, by a vote of 14-0, that the City Attorney draft three ordinances that would ban contributions to candidates from “non-individuals” and ban similar behested payments to politician’s charities. Under one of the versions, “developers seeking city approval of projects would be restricted from making political contributions from the date the project application is filed until 12 months following the final resolution of the application.” Another proposal would ban behested payments from “restricted” sources, including developers, lobbyists, lobbying firms, and contractors.
- Pay-to Play has its Day in Court: A superior court in Fort Wayne, Indiana heard arguments in a case that challenges the validity of the city’s pay-to-play restrictions, according to WBOI. The law provides that anyone looking to bid on a city project is limited to contributions of no more than $2,000. A ruling is expected next week.