Compliance Notes - Vol. 2, Issue 1
RECENT LOBBYING, ETHICS & CAMPAIGN FINANCE UPDATES
We read the news, cut through the noise and provide you the notes.
Welcome to Compliance Notes from Nossaman’s Government Relations & Regulation Group – a periodic digest of the headlines, statutory and regulatory changes and court cases involving campaign finance, lobbying compliance, election law and government ethics issues at the federal, state and local level.
Our attorneys, policy advisors and compliance consultants are available to discuss any questions or how specific issues may impact your business.
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Campaign Finance & Lobbying Compliance
The Federal Election Commission (“FEC”), which regained a full quorum of six Commissioners in December, elected Commissioner Shana Broussard as Chair and Commissioner Allen Dickerson as Vice-Chair for 2021. (FEC, Press Release) The FEC will hold its first public meeting of 2021 on January 14 and a closed executive session meeting on January 12. (FEC, Calendar)
New York: The New York State Joint Commission on Public Ethics (“JCOPE”) updated the Comprehensive Lobbying Regulations (Part 943) and Source of Funding Disclosure Regulations (Part 938) last year. The new regulations took effect on January 1, 2021. (JCOPE, Website)
Government Ethics
The House Ethics Committee has updated the travel and gifts sections of the Ethics Manual, revised Travel Regulations (effective for trips on or after April 1, 2021) and revised Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act (FGDA) Regulations (effective immediately). (House Ethics, Statement of Chairman and Ranking Member)
North Dakota: North Dakota’s Attorney General has issued an opinion stating that the North Dakota Ethics Commission has the authority via its rulemaking powers to further clarify the definition of “lobby” and “lobbyist” as those terms relate to lobbyist gift restrictions. (Jack Dura, The Bismarck Tribune)
Elections & Appointments
After all FEC reports are filed and tallied, the Georgia runoff election of January 5, 2021 will be the most expensive Senate election in history. (Sara Swann, The Fulcrum)
Nonprofits
Chicago: The Chicago Ethics Board delayed the implementation of its new lobbying registration laws as they apply to nonprofits. The rules were set to go into effect January 1, 2021, but their implementation has been delayed until at least April 1, 2021. (Heather Cherone, WTTW News)