ONE-YEAR MORATORIUM ON LOBBYING

House Bill 4378

Sponsor:  Rep. Timothy Bledsoe

Committee:  Ethics and Elections

Complete to 2-24-09

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4378 AS INTRODUCED 2-19-09

The bill would amend the Lobbyist Registration Act to impose a one-year moratorium on lobbying on a former member of the Michigan House or Senate, or a former governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, or secretary of state.

Specifically, the bill prohibits these elected officials from making expenditures for or receiving compensation for lobbying that is equal to or exceeds the monetary threshold required for registering as a lobbying for one-year immediately following the term of office to which they had been elected.

Further, the bill would impose the same restriction on a person holding a non-elective position as the head of a principal department of the executive branch of state government.

Also, currently, a House or Senate member who resigns from office is prohibited from lobbying for the remainder of the term of office from which he or she resigned.  House Bill 4378 would apply this same prohibition to a governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, or secretary of state who resigns.

MCL 4.416a

FISCAL IMPACT:

House Bill 4378 would result in no significant costs to the state.  Under the bill's provisions, a violation is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment or a fine of up to $1,000.  If violations occur and fines are assessed, the state may receive additional revenue, but the amount of any increased revenue is indeterminate.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   J. Hunault

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Viola Bay Wild

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.