ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-fifth Legislature

First Regular Session

HB 2457: lobbyists; conflicts of interest; disclosure

Sponsor: Representative Cook, LD 8

Committee on Government & Elections

Overview

Stipulates that a person may not lobby the Legislature for a public body or principal when there is a conflict of interest.

History

Current statute outlines the prohibitions of persons regarding lobbying the Legislature. No person may employ or retain another person to promote or oppose legislation for compensation contingent in whole or in part on the passage, defeat, approval or veto of any legislation and no person is allowed to accept employment or render service for compensation on a contingent basis. Additionally, a person is not authorized to lobby the Legislature for compensation within one year after they cease to be a member of the Legislature or lobby the public body that employed that person in a capacity having a procurement role (A.R.S. § 41-1233).

Provisions

1. Prohibits a person from lobbying the Legislature for a public body or principal when there is a conflict of interest between one or more of the public bodies and principals represented by that person unless the person has received fully informed written consent from all parties to the conflict of interest who are represented by that party. (Sec. 1)

2. Requires the person lobbying, within two days after the conflict of interest occurs, to file a copy of the written consent with the Secretary of State (SOS). (Sec. 1)

3. Directs the SOS to provide for electronic filing and public posting of the written consents on the website of the SOS. (Sec. 1)

4. Stipulates that a violation of the prohibited acts is subject to enforcement by a compliance order or other relief prescribed by statute. (Sec. 1)

5. Mandates that the SOS provide for cross-referencing and public posting of the written conflict of interest consents from lobbyists, designated public lobbyists and authorized public lobbyists. (Sec. 2)

6. Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 2)

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