Bill Caption

Relating to restrictions on lobbyist expenditures from certain political contributions.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the state is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

HB 505 would prohibit a person required to register as lobbyist from at any time after date of the last term for which the person was elected ends, knowingly make or authorize a political expenditure that is a political contribution to a candidate, officeholder, or political committee using political contributions accepted by the person as a candidate or officeholder. This would not prohibit such a person person from making a political contribution or political expenditure in support of their own candidacy should they run for elected office again.

Vote Recommendation Notes

HB 505 is directed at curbing potential corruption of elected officials who become lobbyists after leaving office. This bill originally set a two year cooling off period before elected officials who become lobbyists may make political contributions using funds they received as an office holder or candidate. We supported that version of the bill as a measure beneficial to limited government. However, the bill has been amended so that instead of a two year cooling off period it is now a permanent ban on an elected official turned lobbyist from using remaining political contributions at any time, even after two years. This still benefits transparency and curbs potential for corruption which limits government, but it also infringes on individual liberty by turning a temporary cooling off period into a permanent ban. Due to this bill uplifting one liberty principle while infringing on another, we have revised our position from support to neutral.