Co-Sponsorship Memo Details

In the near future, we plan to introduce legislation that will bring further openness, transparency and improved ethical standards to the lobbying industry in our Commonwealth.  
 
In the nearly fifteen years since the enactment of The Lobbyist Disclosure Act (Act 134 of 2006), the lobbying community in Pennsylvania has seen significant growth. Despite this, there have been very few updates to the checks and balances originally enacted in Act 134.
 
Working in conjunction with President Pro Tempore Corman, this legislative package seeks to address three primary areas of reform: (1) providing openness and transparency, (2) limiting undue influence, and (3) ensuring ethical conduct.
 
Openness and Transparency: 
 

• Requiring lobbyists to disclose and register any lobbying client conflicts with the Department of State.
• Requiring campaign consultants who operate within the Commonwealth to register with the Department of State.
• Requiring lobbyists to register with the Department of State any equity they may hold in an entity they are lobbying on behalf of.

 
Limiting Lobbyist Influence: 
 

• Prohibiting campaign consultants from concurrently being registered lobbyists and engaging in lobbying elected officials.
• Prohibiting lobbyists from receiving/paying referral payments from/to another individual, lobbying firm or campaign consultant.
• Prohibiting any state entity from hiring an outside lobbyist or consultant to influence the Legislature, Administration or Judiciary.
• Prohibits new employees of the General Assembly (who were previously registered lobbyists) from being lobbied for one year after their registered lobby status expires.
• Urging the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania to reform their rules to promote openness, transparency and greater confidence in the integrity of the Judiciary, judicial employees and attorneys formerly employed by government entities.

 
Ethical Conduct: 
 

• Requiring all registered lobbyists to complete a mandatory ethics training on an annual basis.
• Requiring lobbyists to specifically register with the Department of State any clients for which they seek state financial assistance or grant program.
• Prohibiting lobbyists from collecting an inducement through a 3rd party affiliate upon a successful public taxpayer dollar-funded state grant program.

Please join us in co-sponsoring this important legislation to help further bring openness, transparency and improved ethical standards to the lobbying industry in Pennsylvania.