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Committee tables lobbying-disclosure bill after lobbyists raise compliance concerns
Summary
HB 938 would have required lobbyists to disclose whether their principals receive federal funds and verify their compensation is not federal‑funded. Lobbyists and the Commissioner of Political Practices raised practical concerns about placing verification burdens on lobbyists; the committee ultimately tabled the bill after a substitute motion during executive action.
Representative Nellie Nicholl presented House Bill 938, which would require lobbyists to file a disclosure identifying whether the state or non‑governmental organizations they represent receive federal money and to verify that lobbyist compensation is not derived from federal funds. Nicholl said the bill modeled the federal Anti‑Lobbying Act and aimed to improve transparency when public dollars are involved in government relations.
Jennifer Hensley, a lobbyist who testified in opposition, said the proposal misunderstands typical lobbyist-principal relationships and would put an undue burden on lobbyists who often lack access to principals' financial records. "I don't have transparency into my clients' finances," Hensley said, arguing the responsibility to certify funding sources belongs with principals rather than contract lobbyists.
Kim Trujillo, speaking for the Commissioner of Political Practices, explained the office's enforcement priorities and answered committee questions about reporting and tribal‑grant complexities. Committee members pressed whether the bill should put the verification duty on principals and whether references to local government should be removed; the sponsor signaled willingness to work with opponents given the compressed timeline.
At executive action a substitute motion to table HB 938 succeeded and the bill was tabled pending further drafting or reconsideration.
