08 LC 29
3168
House
Bill 1179
By:
Representatives Ralston of the
7th,
Keen of the
179th,
and Ehrhart of the
36th
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
AN ACT
To
amend Article 4 of Chapter 5 of Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated, relating to public officials conduct and lobbyist disclosure, so as
to change certain provisions relating to lobbyist registration and the
application for registration; to prohibit certain convicted felons from being
lobbyists; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for
other purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
Article
4 of Chapter 5 of Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating
to public officials conduct and lobbyist disclosure, is amended by revising
subsections (a), (b), and (c) of Code Section 21-5-71, relating to lobbyist
registration requirements, the application for registration, supplemental
registration, fees, identification cards, and exemptions, as
follows:
"(a)
No person shall engage in lobbying as defined by this article unless such person
is registered with the commission as a lobbyist.
The commission
shall not allow a person who has been convicted of a felony involving moral
turpitude in the courts of this state or an offense that, had it occurred in
this state, would constitute a felony involving moral turpitude under the laws
of this state, to become a registered lobbyist unless ten years or more have
elapsed since the completion of the person´s
sentence. The administration of this
article is vested in the commission.
(b)
Each lobbyist shall file an application for registration with the commission.
The application shall be verified by the applicant and shall
contain:
(1)
The applicant´s name, address, and telephone number;
(2)
The name, address, and telephone number of the person or agency that employs,
appoints, or authorizes the applicant to lobby on its behalf;
(3)
A statement of the general business or purpose of each person, firm,
corporation, association, or agency the applicant represents;
(4)
If the applicant represents a membership group other than an agency or
corporation, the general purpose and approximate number of members of the
organization;
(5)
A statement signed by the person or agency employing, appointing, or authorizing
the applicant to lobby on its behalf;
(6)
If the applicant is a lobbyist within the meaning of subparagraph (G) or (H) of
paragraph (5) of Code Section 21-5-70, the name of the state agency or agencies
before which the applicant engages in lobbying;
and
(7)
A statement disclosing each individual or entity on whose behalf the applicant
is registering if such individual or entity has agreed to pay him or her an
amount exceeding $10,000.00 in a calendar year for lobbying
activities;
and
(8)
A statement verifying that the applicant has not been convicted of a felony
involving moral turpitude in the courts of this state or an offense that, had it
occurred in this state, would constitute a felony involving moral turpitude
under the laws of this state, or if the applicant has been so convicted, a
statement identifying such conviction, the date thereof, a copy of the
person´s sentence, and a statement that more than ten years have elapsed
since the completion of his or her
sentence.
(c)
The lobbyist shall, within seven days of any substantial or material change or
addition, file a supplemental registration indicating such substantial or
material change or addition to the registration prior to its expiration.
Previously filed information may be incorporated by reference. Substantial or
material changes or additions shall include, but are not limited to, the
pertinent information concerning changes or additions to client and employment
information required by paragraphs (2), (3), (4), (6),
and
(7), and
(8) of subsection (b) of this Code
section."
SECTION
2.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.