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Senate adopts local-government lobbying disclosure measure
Summary
Senate passed SB 22 64 requiring disclosure when local governments employ private lobbyists; sponsors said it brings transparency to taxpayer-funded lobbying, while some members argued the requirement should also apply to state agencies.
The Senate adopted an amendment and passed Senate Bill 22 64 on third reading to require disclosure when local governments employ private lobbyists.
Sponsor Senator Lowe described the bill as a local-level transparency measure intended to clarify who local governments employ and how much is spent: "What this bill will fix... when the taxpayers ask the question, who are they employing and how much are they spending, we can't answer that question right now" he said on the floor. Opponents pressed whether similar requirements should apply to the executive branch and state agencies; Senator Yarbrough argued the rule should apply equally to state and local governments.
Why it matters: The bill targets transparency of taxpayer-funded lobbying at the local-government level and creates reporting requirements and disclosure for entities that employ lobbyists. Sponsor statements repeatedly emphasized the aim to provide clarity when local entities use public funds for lobbying.
The amendment was adopted and the bill passed on 3rd and final consideration; the chair declared the constitutional majority and the bill was passed without objection.
