SS/SCS/SB 1254 - Under current law, lobbyists must disclose expenditures made for occasions where members of a caucus of the general assembly are invited in writing. This act changes the law to require disclosure when members of a caucus of the majority or minority parties of the House or Senate are invited in writing. Under the act, lobbyists shall not make expenditures on behalf of public officials for entertainment, travel, or lodging unless approved prior to the date of expenditure by the Administration and Accounts committee of the House or the Administration Committee of the Senate.
The act bars contributions from legislative political party committees to candidates for the House of Representatives, the Senate, or a statewide office.
Candidates for the House of Representatives, Senate, or statewide office shall not accept any contributions during legislative session. Candidates for special election to the House, Senate, or statewide office may accept contributions from the date of their nomination by his or her respective political party until 30 days after the election.
Under the act, candidates for the Senate, House of Representatives or statewide office shall file disclosure reports on the last day of each month for a period closing on the 25th day of each month until 21 days prior to the election and then every 24 hours during an election year, and quarterly during a non-election year. All of the reports shall be filed electronically with the Missouri Ethics Commission.
The act requires those who lobby elected local government officials in governments with an annual operating budget of over two million dollars to conform to the same reporting requirements as those who lobby state officials.
The act will take effect on January 1, 2007.
CHRIS HOGERTY