Bill Caption

Fiscal Notes

From the Legislative Budget Board: No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

SB 503 would amend the Election Code to add that for a candidate to be eligible for public office that person must not be required to register as a lobbyist. This provision would not apply to an official of a political subdivision with a population of 150,000 or less other than the presiding officer of the governing body of the subdivision, or the office of the presiding officer of the governing body of a political subdivision with a population of 50,000 or less. This bill also prohibits a member of Congress, a member of the legislature, or a holder of a statewide office from registering as a lobbyist. 
 

Vote Recommendation Notes

On the one hand this bill would support our limited government principle by prohibiting a member of Congress, a member of the legislature, or a holder of a statewide office from registering as a lobbyist.

However, we are concerned about the provision which prevents people whose work requires them to register as lobbyists from running for office. We agree that elected officials should not be lobbyists, but this provision prevents a person who is not yet an elected official from being eligible to run for office if they are a registered lobbyist. This is problematic in its own right as it discriminates against people running for office based on their profession or on a condition of their employment. An amendment to strip this provision from SB 503 would make the bill stronger. Should such an amendment be adopted we would support passage of the bill.