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                                                      PRINTER'S NO. 1768

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA


SENATE BILL

No. 1 Session of 2004


        INTRODUCED BY JUBELIRER, MELLOW, PIPPY, GORDNER, PUNT,
           BRIGHTBILL, PICCOLA, THOMPSON, STOUT, RHOADES, FERLO,
           RAFFERTY, PILEGGI, MUSTO, D. WHITE, DENT, ERICKSON, WAGNER,
           ARMSTRONG, BOSCOLA, MADIGAN, MOWERY, O'PAKE, KUKOVICH,
           WENGER, WAUGH, ORIE, LEMMOND, EARLL, LOGAN, COSTA,
           TARTAGLIONE, SCARNATI, STACK, ROBBINS, TOMLINSON, M. WHITE,
           SCHWARTZ, C. WILLIAMS, WONDERLING, WOZNIAK AND CONTI,
           JUNE 29, 2004

        REFERRED TO STATE GOVERNMENT, JUNE 29, 2004

                                     AN ACT

     1  Providing for lobbying registration, regulation and disclosure;
     2     conferring powers and imposing duties on the Department of
     3     State, the Office of Attorney General and the State Ethics
     4     Commission; imposing penalties; establishing the Lobbying
     5     Accountability Fund; and making a related repeal.

     6     The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
     7  hereby enacts as follows:
     8  Section 1.  Short title.
     9     This act shall be known and may be cited as the Lobbying
    10  Accountability Act.
    11  Section 2.  Statement of intent.
    12     The Constitution of Pennsylvania recognizes that all free
    13  governments are founded upon the authority of the people. It
    14  further provides that the power to make law in this Commonwealth
    15  is vested in the General Assembly, and the power to enforce law
    16  is vested in the Executive Department. The Constitution also


     1  guarantees the people the right to petition those invested with
     2  the powers of government for redress of grievances. The ability
     3  of the people to exercise their fundamental authority and to
     4  have confidence in the integrity of the processes by which laws
     5  are made and enforced in this Commonwealth demands that the
     6  identity and scope of activity of those who are paid to
     7  influence the actions of the General Assembly and the Executive
     8  Department be publicly and regularly disclosed.
     9  Section 3.  Definitions.
    10     The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
    11  have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
    12  context clearly indicates otherwise:
    13     "Administrative action."  Any of the following:
    14         (1)  An agency's:
    15             (i)  proposal, consideration, promulgation or
    16         rescission of a regulation;
    17             (ii)  development or modification of a guideline or a
    18         statement of policy; or
    19             (iii)  approval or rejection of a regulation.
    20         (2)  The review, revision, approval or disapproval of a
    21     regulation under the act of June 25, 1982 (P.L.633, No.181),
    22     known as the Regulatory Review Act.
    23         (3)  The Governor's approval or veto of legislation.
    24         (4)  The nomination or appointment of an individual as an
    25     officer or employee of the Commonwealth.
    26         (5)  The proposal, consideration, promulgation or
    27     rescission of an executive order.
    28     "Affiliated political action committee."  A "political action
    29  committee" as defined in section 1621(l) of the act of June 3,
    30  1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the Pennsylvania Election
    20040S0001B1768                  - 2 -     

     1  Code, which has a chairman, a treasurer or other officer who is
     2  a principal, an officer or employee of a principal, a lobbyist
     3  or an employee of a lobbyist, provided if an employee of a
     4  registrant serves as the officer of a political action committee
     5  in what is clearly a personal capacity and the goals and mission
     6  of that political action committee clearly have no relationship
     7  to the goals and mission of the registrant, such political
     8  action committee shall not be considered an affiliated political
     9  action committee for the purposes of this definition.
    10     "Agency."  An agency, board, commission, authority or
    11  department of the executive department of the Commonwealth.
    12     "Board."  The Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of
    13  Pennsylvania.
    14     "Commission."  The State Ethics Commission.
    15     "Compensation."  Anything of value, including benefits,
    16  received or to be received from a principal by one acting as a
    17  lobbyist.
    18     "Department."  The Department of State of the Commonwealth.
    19     "Direct communication."  An effort, whether written, oral or
    20  by any other medium, made by a lobbyist or principal, directed
    21  to a State official or employee, the purpose or foreseeable
    22  effect of which is to influence legislative action or
    23  administrative action.
    24     "Economic consideration."  Anything of value offered or
    25  received.
    26     "Fund."  The Lobbying Accountability Fund established in
    27  section 10(b).
    28     "Gift."  As defined in 65 Pa.C.S. § 1102 (relating to
    29  definitions).
    30     "Immediate family."  An individual's spouse, child, parent,
    20040S0001B1768                  - 3 -     

     1  brother, sister and like relative-in-law.
     2     "Indirect communication."  An effort, whether written, oral
     3  or by any other medium, to encourage others, including the
     4  general public, to take action, the purpose or foreseeable
     5  effect of which is to directly influence legislative action or
     6  administrative action. The term includes letter-writing
     7  campaigns, mailings, telephone banks, print and electronic media
     8  advertising, billboards, publications and educational campaigns
     9  on public issues. The term does not include regularly published
    10  periodic newsletters primarily designed for and distributed to
    11  members of a bona fide association or charitable or fraternal
    12  nonprofit corporation.
    13     "Legislation."  Bills, resolutions, amendments and
    14  nominations pending or proposed in either the Senate or the
    15  House of Representatives. The term includes any other matter
    16  which may become the subject of action by either chamber of the
    17  General Assembly.
    18     "Legislative action."  An action taken by a State official or
    19  employee involving the preparation, research, drafting,
    20  introduction, consideration, modification, amendment, approval,
    21  passage, enactment, tabling, postponement, defeat or rejection
    22  of legislation; legislative motions; overriding or sustaining a
    23  veto by the Governor; or confirmation of appointments by the
    24  Governor or appointments to public boards or commissions by a
    25  member of the General Assembly.
    26     "Lobbying."  An effort to influence legislative action or
    27  administrative action. The term includes:
    28         (1)  direct or indirect communication;
    29         (2)  personnel and office expenses in accordance with
    30     section 5(b)(2)(i); and
    20040S0001B1768                  - 4 -     

     1         (3)  providing any gift, entertainment, meal,
     2     transportation or lodging to a State official or employee for
     3     the purpose of advancing the interest of the lobbyist or
     4     principal.
     5     "Lobbyist."  Any individual, association, corporation,
     6  partnership, business trust or other business entity that
     7  engages in lobbying on behalf of a principal for economic
     8  consideration. The term includes an attorney while engaged in
     9  lobbying.
    10     "Principal."  Any individual, association, corporation,
    11  partnership, business trust or other business entity:
    12         (1)  on whose behalf a lobbyist influences or attempts to
    13     influence an administrative action or a legislative action;
    14     or
    15         (2)  that engages in lobbying on the principal's own
    16     behalf.
    17     "Registrant."  A registered lobbyist or a registered
    18  principal.
    19     "Regulation."  Any rule, regulation or order in the nature of
    20  a rule or regulation, including formal and informal opinions of
    21  the Attorney General, of general application and future effect,
    22  promulgated by an agency under statutory authority in the
    23  administration of a statute administered by or relating to the
    24  agency, or prescribing the practice or procedure before the
    25  agency.
    26     "State official or employee."  An individual elected or
    27  appointed to a position in State government or employed by State
    28  government, whether compensated or uncompensated, who is
    29  involved in legislative action or administrative action.
    30  Section 4.  Registration.
    20040S0001B1768                  - 5 -     

     1     (a)  General rule.--Unless excluded under section 6, a
     2  lobbyist or a principal must register with the department within
     3  ten days of acting in any capacity as a lobbyist or principal.
     4  Registration shall be biennial and be coincident with the terms
     5  of the members of the House of Representatives.
     6     (b)  Principals.--
     7         (1)  A principal required to register shall file a
     8     registration statement setting forth the following
     9     information with the department:
    10             (i)  Name.
    11             (ii)  Permanent address.
    12             (iii)  Daytime telephone number.
    13             (iv)  Name and nature of business.
    14             (v)  Name, registration number and acronym of any
    15         affiliated political action committees.
    16             (vi)  Name and permanent business address of each
    17         individual who will for economic consideration engage in
    18         lobbying on the principal's behalf.
    19         (2)  If a principal is an association, the number of
    20     dues-paying members of the association in the most recently
    21     completed calendar year shall also be disclosed.
    22     (c)  Lobbyist.--A lobbyist who is required to register shall
    23  file a registration statement setting forth the following
    24  information with the department:
    25         (1)  Name.
    26         (2)  Permanent business address.
    27         (3)  Daytime telephone number.
    28         (4)  A recent photograph of the lobbyist.
    29         (5)  Name, permanent business address and daytime
    30     telephone number of each principal for whom the lobbyist will
    20040S0001B1768                  - 6 -     

     1     engage in lobbying.
     2         (6)  Name, registration number and acronym of any
     3     affiliated political action committees.
     4     (d)  Amendments.--
     5         (1)  When there is a change of information required for
     6     the registration statement under subsection (b)(1) or (c), an
     7     amended statement shall be filed with the department within
     8     14 days after the change occurs.
     9         (2)  When there is a change in information required for
    10     the registration statement under subsection (b)(2), an
    11     amended statement shall be filed with the department within
    12     14 days of the end of the year in which the change occurs.
    13     (e)  Termination.--A lobbyist or a principal may terminate
    14  registration by filing notice of termination with the
    15  department. Within 30 days of filing the notice, the lobbyist or
    16  principal shall file a termination report, which shall include
    17  all information required by section 5 through the final day of
    18  lobbying activity. After a review of the termination report but
    19  not later than 90 days after receipt of the report, the
    20  department shall issue to the lobbyist or principal a letter
    21  stating that the registrant has terminated registration. The
    22  filing of notice or a termination report shall not affect the
    23  commission's authority to conduct investigations and hearings.
    24  No lobbying may occur after the filing of notice of termination
    25  unless the lobbying is pursuant to a separate registration
    26  statement which is filed with the department and which, at the
    27  time of the lobbying, has not been terminated.
    28  Section 5.  Reporting.
    29     (a)  General rule.--A registered principal shall, under oath
    30  or affirmation, file quarterly expense reports with the
    20040S0001B1768                  - 7 -     

     1  department.
     2     (b)  Content.--
     3         (1)  Reports must list the names of all lobbyists by whom
     4     lobbying is conducted and the general subject matter or issue
     5     being lobbied.
     6         (2)  Expense reports must contain the following
     7     categories:
     8             (i)  A single aggregate good faith estimate of the
     9         total amount spent for personnel and office expenses
    10         related to lobbying. This subparagraph includes salaries
    11         and other forms of compensation, benefits, vehicle
    12         allowances, bonuses and reimbursable expenses for those
    13         involved in lobbying. If compensation is to be reported
    14         by or for an individual or entity whose lobbying is
    15         incidental to regular employment, it shall be sufficient
    16         to report a good faith prorated estimate based on the
    17         value of the time devoted to lobbying. Reportable
    18         personnel costs include costs for lobbying staff,
    19         research and monitoring staff, consultants, lawyers,
    20         lobbyists, publications and public relations staff,
    21         technical staff and clerical and administrative support
    22         staff who engage in lobbying but are exempt from
    23         reporting under section 6(12). This subparagraph includes
    24         costs for offices, equipment and supplies utilized for
    25         lobbying.
    26             (ii)  A single aggregate good faith estimate of the
    27         total amount spent for direct communication.
    28             (iii)  A single aggregate good faith estimate of the
    29         total amount spent for indirect communication.
    30             (iv)  The total costs for gifts, entertainment,
    20040S0001B1768                  - 8 -     

     1         meals, transportation, lodging and receptions given to or
     2         provided to State officials or employees or their
     3         immediate families.
     4         (3)  In addition to reporting the totals required under
     5     this subsection, the expense report must identify, by name,
     6     position and each occurrence, a State official or employee
     7     who receives from a principal or lobbyist anything of value
     8     which must be included in the statement under 65 Pa.C.S. §
     9     1105(b)(6) or (7) (relating to statement of financial
    10     interests) as implemented by section 65 Pa.C.S. § 1105(d).
    11             (i)  For purposes of this act, the amount referred to
    12         in 65 Pa.C.S. § 1105(b)(7) shall be considered an
    13         aggregate amount per year.
    14             (ii)  Written notice must be given to each State
    15         official or employee who is listed in the expense report
    16         pursuant to this paragraph within seven days of the
    17         report's submission to the department. Notice under this
    18         subparagraph shall include the information which will
    19         enable the State official or employee to comply with 65
    20         Pa.C.S. § 1105(b)(6) and (7). For purposes of this act
    21         and 65 Pa.C.S. Ch. 11 (relating to ethics standards and
    22         financial disclosure), 65 Pa.C.S. § 1105(b)(6) and (7)
    23         shall constitute mutually exclusive categories.
    24             (iii)  Regulations shall be promulgated under section
    25         10(c) to define mutually exclusive categories under 65
    26         Pa.C.S. § 1105(b)(6) and (7) and to determine whether a
    27         thing of value is subject to disclosure under 65 Pa.C.S.
    28         § 1105(b)(6) or (7).
    29         (4)  A lobbyist shall sign the reports submitted by each
    30     principal for whom the lobbyist is registered to attest to
    20040S0001B1768                  - 9 -     

     1     the validity and accuracy to the best of the lobbyist's
     2     knowledge. A lobbyist may attach a statement to the report of
     3     any principal, describing the limits of the lobbyist's
     4     knowledge concerning the information contained in the report.
     5         (5)  The expense report shall also include the name,
     6     permanent business address and daytime telephone number of
     7     any individual, association, corporation, partnership,
     8     business trust or other business entity which contributed
     9     more than 10% of the total resources received by the
    10     principal during the reporting period.
    11     (c)  Separate report.--A lobbyist shall submit a separate
    12  report from the report of a registered principal for whom the
    13  lobbyist is registered if, during the reporting period, the
    14  lobbyist engaged in lobbying which was not reflected in the
    15  reports filed by the principal or principals represented by the
    16  lobbyist. A separate lobbyist report shall contain the identity
    17  of the principal for whom such lobbying was performed, the
    18  general subject matter or issue being lobbied and all
    19  information required under subsection (b)(2) and (3).
    20     (d)  Records retention.--A registrant shall retain all
    21  documents reasonably necessary to substantiate the reports to be
    22  made under this section for four years from the date of filing
    23  the subject report. Upon request by the Office of Attorney
    24  General, the board, the commission or the department, these
    25  materials shall be made available for inspection within a
    26  reasonable period of time.
    27     (e)  Thresholds for reporting.--An expense report shall be
    28  filed when total expenses for lobbying exceed $2,500 for a
    29  registered principal or a registered lobbyist in a reporting
    30  period. In a reporting period in which total expenses are $2,500
    20040S0001B1768                 - 10 -     

     1  or less, a statement to that effect shall be filed.
     2     (f)  Voluntary disclosure.--Nothing in this section shall
     3  prevent a principal or lobbyist from disclosing expenses in
     4  greater detail than required.
     5  Section 6.  Exemption from registration and reporting.
     6     The following individuals and activities shall be exempt from
     7  registration under section 4 and reporting under section 5:
     8         (1)  An individual who limits lobbying activities to
     9     preparing testimony and testifying before a committee of the
    10     General Assembly or participating in an administrative
    11     proceeding of an agency.
    12         (2)  An individual who is an employee of an entity
    13     engaged in the business of publishing or broadcasting while
    14     engaged in the gathering and dissemination of news and
    15     comment thereon to the general public in the ordinary course
    16     of business.
    17         (3)  An individual who does not receive compensation,
    18     other than traveling expenses, for lobbying.
    19         (4)  An individual whose compensation for lobbying, from
    20     all principals represented, does not exceed $2,500 in the
    21     aggregate during any reporting period.
    22         (5)  An individual who engages in lobbying on behalf of
    23     the individual's employer and where lobbying activity
    24     represents less than the equivalent of $2,500 of the
    25     employee's time during any reporting period, based on an
    26     hourly proration of the employee's compensation.
    27         (6)  A principal whose total expenses for lobbying
    28     purposes do not exceed $2,500 during any reporting period.
    29         (7)  An elected State official acting in an official
    30     capacity.
    20040S0001B1768                 - 11 -     

     1         (8)  A State official who is appointed by the Governor
     2     acting in an official capacity.
     3         (9)  An elected or appointed official or employee of a
     4     political subdivision acting in an official capacity.
     5         (10)  An employee of the Commonwealth or independent
     6     agency of the Commonwealth acting in an official capacity.
     7         (11)  An individual representing a bona fide church or
     8     bona fide religious body of which the individual is a member
     9     where the lobbying is solely for the purpose of protecting
    10     the constitutional right to the free exercise of religion.
    11         (12)  An employee, who is not a registered lobbyist, of a
    12     corporation which:
    13             (i)  is registered as a principal under section 4;
    14             (ii)  has one or more registered lobbyists; and
    15             (iii)  includes in its reports under section 5 all of
    16         the employee's expenses related to lobbying.
    17  Section 7.  Prohibited activities.
    18     (a)  Political committees.--A lobbyist may not serve as a
    19  treasurer or other officer for a candidate's political committee
    20  or a candidate's political action committee.
    21     (b)  Fee restrictions.--A lobbyist may not charge a fee or
    22  receive compensation or economic consideration based upon an
    23  understanding, either written or oral, that any part of the fee,
    24  compensation or economic consideration will be converted into a
    25  contribution to a candidate for public office or a political
    26  committee.
    27     (c)  Falsification.--No lobbyist or principal may, for the
    28  purpose of influencing legislative action or administrative
    29  action, transmit, utter or publish to any State official or
    30  employee any communication, knowing that such communication or
    20040S0001B1768                 - 12 -     

     1  any signature on the communication is false, forged, counterfeit
     2  or fictitious.
     3  Section 8.  Administration and enforcement.
     4     (a)  Criminal enforcement.--If the department or commission
     5  has reason to believe an intentional violation of this act has
     6  been committed, it shall refer all relevant documents and other
     7  information to the Office of Attorney General and, if the
     8  lobbyist or principal is an attorney, to the board.
     9     (b)  Forms.--The department shall prescribe registration and
    10  reporting forms to be used pursuant to this act. The forms shall
    11  be available on a publicly accessible World Wide Web page. All
    12  information requested on the forms shall be provided to the best
    13  of the knowledge, information and belief of the person required
    14  to file and shall be signed under oath or equivalent
    15  affirmation.
    16     (c)  Attorney General.--In addition to the authority
    17  conferred upon the Attorney General under the act of October 15,
    18  1980 (P.L.950, No.164), known as the Commonwealth Attorneys Act,
    19  the Attorney General has the authority to investigate and
    20  prosecute a violation of this act.
    21     (d)  Advice and opinions.--The commission shall provide
    22  advice and opinions to a lobbyist, principal, the department,
    23  the board or a State official or employee who seeks advice
    24  regarding compliance with this act. A principal, lobbyist or
    25  other individual who acts in good faith based on the written
    26  advice or opinion shall not be held liable for a violation of
    27  this act.
    28     (e)  Public inspection and copying.--The department shall
    29  make registration statements, expense reports, termination
    30  notices and termination reports which have been filed with the
    20040S0001B1768                 - 13 -     

     1  department available for public inspection and provide copies of
     2  these documents at a price which shall not exceed the actual
     3  cost of copying. Documents that are maintained and reproducible
     4  in an electronic format shall be provided in that format upon
     5  request.
     6     (f)  Annual reporting.--The department shall prepare and
     7  publish an annual report on lobbying activities in this
     8  Commonwealth. The department shall also annually publish a
     9  listing of registered principals, identifying lobbyists who are
    10  registered to lobby for the principal, and a listing of
    11  lobbyists, identifying the principals for whom the lobbyist is
    12  registered to lobby.
    13     (g)  Retention of records.--Registration statements, expense
    14  reports, termination notices and termination reports shall be
    15  available for public inspection with the department for a four-
    16  year period which commences on the date of filing.
    17     (h)  Audits.--Annually, the commission shall conduct audits
    18  of the registration statements and expense reports filed by
    19  registrants. The registrants to be audited shall be selected by
    20  lottery. The number of registrants selected for audits shall be
    21  sufficient to ensure compliance with this act. An audit report
    22  and related findings shall be confidential; however, the
    23  commission may include the relevant portion of an audit as part
    24  of its findings of fact in an order which results from an
    25  investigation arising out of an audit.
    26     (i)  Investigation and hearings.--The commission, through its
    27  executive director, may initiate an investigation and hold a
    28  hearing, concerning negligent conduct by a lobbyist or
    29  principal, in accordance with 65 Pa.C.S. §§ 1107 (relating to
    30  powers and duties of commission) and 1108 (relating to
    20040S0001B1768                 - 14 -     

     1  investigations by commission).
     2     (j)  Directory.--On or before May 1 of each odd-numbered
     3  year, the department shall produce and distribute a directory of
     4  all registered lobbyists, including photographs. Copies of this
     5  directory shall be made available to the public at a price not
     6  to exceed the actual cost of production. All revenue received by
     7  the department from the sales of this directory shall be
     8  deposited into the fund.
     9     (k)  Computer file.--The department shall provide the
    10  Legislative Data Processing Committee all data relating to
    11  registration statements and amendments to such statements,
    12  expense reports, termination notices and termination reports,
    13  and the committee shall make all such information available on a
    14  publicly accessible World Wide Web page.
    15     (l)  Cost-of-living adjustment.--On a biennial basis
    16  commencing in January 2008, the commission shall review the
    17  threshold for reporting under section 5(e) and the threshold for
    18  exemption under section 6 and may increase these amounts to
    19  levels deemed reasonable for assuring appropriate disclosure.
    20  The commission shall publish any such adjusted threshold amounts
    21  in the Pennsylvania Bulletin by June 1, 2008, and every two
    22  years thereafter as necessary.
    23  Section 9.  Penalties.
    24     (a)  Notice of noncompliance.--The commission shall issue a
    25  notice of noncompliance to any lobbyist or principal that has
    26  failed to register or report as required by this act. The notice
    27  shall state the nature of the alleged noncompliance and the
    28  civil and criminal penalties for failure to register, failure to
    29  file or filing a report containing a false statement or which is
    30  incomplete. The notice shall also advise that if the lobbyist or
    20040S0001B1768                 - 15 -     

     1  principal disagrees with the alleged noncompliance, the lobbyist
     2  or principal may appeal such before the commission. The notice
     3  shall set forth the deadline and manner in which to request a
     4  hearing.
     5     (b)  Hearing.--
     6         (1)  If a hearing is requested, the commission shall
     7     determine at the hearing:
     8             (i)  whether the recipient of the notice is required
     9         to register or report under this act; and
    10             (ii)  whether the failure to register or report was
    11         negligent or intentional.
    12         (2)  If the commission finds that the failure to register
    13     or report was intentional, it shall refer the matter to the
    14     Attorney General and, if the lobbyist or principal is an
    15     attorney, to the board.
    16         (3)  If the commission finds that failure to register or
    17     report was negligent, it shall determine the amount of the
    18     civil penalty to be imposed.
    19         (4)  Hearings under this subsection shall be conducted by
    20     the commission in accordance with 65 Pa.C.S. §§ 1107(14)
    21     (relating to powers and duties of commission) and 1108(e)
    22     (relating to investigations by commission).
    23     (c)  Negligent failure to register or report.--Negligent
    24  failure to register or report as required by this act is
    25  punishable by a civil penalty not exceeding $50 for each late
    26  day. After a hearing under subsection (b), in the case of
    27  negligent failure to register or report, the commission may,
    28  upon the majority vote of its members, levy a civil penalty as
    29  provided for in this subsection. The total amount of the civil
    30  penalty levied shall not be limited by any other provision of
    20040S0001B1768                 - 16 -     

     1  law. The commission shall notify the board of any lobbyist or
     2  principal who is an attorney against whom a civil penalty is
     3  imposed. The commission shall have standing to apply to the
     4  Commonwealth Court to seek enforcement of an order imposing a
     5  civil penalty under this section.
     6     (d)  Failure to comply after notice.--A lobbyist or principal
     7  who fails to comply with the requirements of this act, after
     8  notice of noncompliance and after a hearing, if one is
     9  requested, may be prohibited from lobbying for up to five years.
    10  The prohibition shall be imposed as provided by subsection
    11  (e)(4).
    12     (e)  Intentional violations.--
    13         (1)  Any lobbyist or principal who intentionally fails to
    14     register or report as required by this act commits a
    15     misdemeanor of the second degree.
    16         (2)  A registrant who files a report under this act with
    17     knowledge that the report contains a false statement or is
    18     incomplete commits a misdemeanor of the second degree.
    19         (3)  Except as set forth in paragraph (1) or (2), any
    20     lobbyist or principal who intentionally violates this act
    21     commits a misdemeanor of the third degree.
    22         (4)  In addition to any criminal penalties imposed
    23     pursuant to this act, the commission may prohibit a lobbyist
    24     or principal from lobbying for up to five years for conduct
    25     which constitutes an offense under this subsection. No
    26     criminal prosecution or conviction shall be required for the
    27     imposition of the prohibition authorized by this paragraph.
    28     The commission shall not impose the prohibition under this
    29     paragraph unless the lobbyist or principal has been afforded
    30     the opportunity for a hearing which shall be conducted by the
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     1     commission in accordance with 65 Pa.C.S. §§ 1107(14) and
     2     1108(e).
     3     (f)  Attorneys.--Nothing in this act shall be construed as
     4  restricting the board's authority to discipline an attorney who
     5  is acting as a lobbyist or principal.
     6  Section 10.  Registration fees; fund established; regulations.
     7     (a)  Registration fees.--At the time of registration, a
     8  principal or lobbyist required to be registered under this act
     9  shall pay a biennial registration fee of $100 to the department.
    10     (b)  Fund established.--All money received from registration
    11  fees under subsection (a) shall be deposited in a restricted
    12  receipts account to be known as the Lobbying Accountability
    13  Fund, which is hereby established as a separate fund in the
    14  State Treasury. All moneys deposited in the fund are hereby
    15  appropriated to the department as a continuing appropriation for
    16  the exclusive purpose of carrying out this act.
    17     (c)  Regulations.--A committee comprised of the Secretary of
    18  the Senate, the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives, the
    19  Attorney General, the Secretary of the Commonwealth, the
    20  executive director of the commission, the chief counsel of the
    21  board and the General Counsel, or their designees, shall have
    22  authority to promulgate regulations necessary to carry out this
    23  act. The executive director of the commission shall be chairman
    24  of this committee. The initial proposed regulations shall be
    25  submitted within 180 days of the effective date of this section
    26  to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission under section 5
    27  of the act of June 25, 1982 (P.L.633, No.181), known as the
    28  Regulatory Review Act. Any meeting at which the committee plans
    29  to approve proposed regulations or other official actions shall
    30  be held in accordance with 65 Pa.C.S. Ch. 7 (relating to open
    20040S0001B1768                 - 18 -     

     1  meetings). The department shall provide sufficient staff and
     2  other administrative support to assist the committee. The
     3  committee shall also prepare and publish a manual setting forth
     4  guidelines for accounting and reporting. The regulations and
     5  manual shall be drafted to accommodate the use of computerized
     6  recordkeeping, electronic filing of all required registrations
     7  and reports provided for under this act and retention of
     8  registration statements and reports provided for under this act
     9  by electronic means.
    10  Section 11.  Nonapplicability.
    11     Nothing in this act shall be construed to effect the
    12  provisions of 18 Pa.C.S. § 7515.
    13  Section 12.  Repeal.
    14     The provisions of 65 Pa.C.S. Ch. 13 are repealed.
    15  Section 13.  Effective date.
    16     This act shall take effect as follows:
    17         (1)  Sections 5(b)(3)(iii) and 10(c) shall take effect
    18     immediately.
    19         (2)  Section 5(b)(3)(i) and (ii) shall take effect on the
    20     effective date of the regulations promulgated under section
    21     5(b)(3)(iii).
    22         (3)  This section shall take effect immediately.
    23         (4)  The remainder of this act shall take effect in 60
    24     days.




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