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Sen. Rubio’s bill would let lobbyists file registration changes directly with Secretary of State
Summary
SB 1175 would require lobbyists to submit employment, termination and amendment filings directly to the Secretary of State’s Cal Access Replacement System (CARS) instead of through employers or firms, aiming to reduce delays and increase transparency; committee advanced the bill to the floor.
Senator Rubio introduced SB 1175, the Lobbyist Registration Modernization Act, saying the bill would improve government efficiency and public transparency by letting lobbyists themselves submit terminations, employment changes and registration amendments directly to the Secretary of State through the Cal Access Replacement System.
"Instead of requiring the lobbyists to file terminations, employment changes, and registration amendments through their employer or firm, lobbyists will be required to directly go to the Secretary of State and do it themselves through the Cal Access replacement system or CARS," Rubio said during her presentation.
Tim Cromartie, Deputy Secretary of State, told the committee the measure was developed with the Fair Political Practices Commission and would streamline filing practices. He said the current employer-driven process can produce significant delays and that the bill would allow lobbyists to independently submit amendment and termination paperwork.
A representative of the Fair Political Practices Commission voiced support; no members of the public registered opposition during the hearing. Senator Choi asked why the system was established with employer-based filings originally and whether comparable professions (for example, realtors) follow similar approaches; Cromartie said he was not familiar with realtor rules but acknowledged the current lobbyist system was inefficient and created practical delays in registration.
The sponsor closed by saying the bill ‘‘simply eliminates delays and takes care of the middle person that really should not be there.’’ The committee recorded its votes and placed the measure on call for absent members; the bill later cleared committee by a 5–0 vote and was transmitted to the next chamber step.
The committee action: motion to pass to the floor; recorded committee votes supported moving the bill forward. No amendments were adopted on the floor of this hearing.
