First, the act exempts the following from the definition of expenditure:

• Any item, service, or thing of value transferred to any person within the third degree of affinity of the transferor which is unrelated to any activity of the transferor as a lobbyist;

• Flowers or plants as expressions of condolence or congratulation sent within a reasonable time of the occasion being observed; and

• Any physical item of recognition.

Expenditures are only allowed to be reported as a group if all members of the General Assembly or all statewide elected officials are invited through a notice in writing or by electronic means at least 72 hours in advance and the occasion takes place in Missouri.

The act further prohibits any lobbyist principal, lobbyist, or person acting on behalf of a lobbyist principal or lobbyist from making any expenditure on behalf of a public official of the state, or the staff, employees, spouse, or dependent children of such official. Notwithstanding this prohibition, such persons may receive expenditures if it is an occasion in which all members of the General Assembly are invited or if all statewide elected officials are invited.

This act is similar to SB 305 (2017) and HB 2166 (2016).

SCOTT SVAGERA