HB0129 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 03705 RJF 13718 b

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB0129

Introduced 1/14/2021, by Rep. Joyce Mason

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

25 ILCS 170/3

from Ch. 63, par. 173

Amends the Lobbyist Registration Act. Provides that any natural person who, for compensation or other pecuniary interest, communicates with any unit of local government for the ultimate purpose of influencing official action of the unit of local government concerning an automated traffic law enforcement system, or any person or entity who employs or compensates another person for the purposes of such communications, shall register as a lobbyist under the Act. Specifies that the provisions do not apply to communications made to judicial bodies or administrative courts regarding the prosecution or defense of specified alleged violations. Defines "automated traffic law enforcement system".

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning State government.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Lobbyist Registration Act is amended by changing Section 3 as follows:

(25 ILCS 170/3) (from Ch. 63, par. 173)

Sec. 3. Persons required to register.

(a) Except as provided in Section 9, any natural person who, for compensation or otherwise, undertakes to lobby, or any person or entity who employs or compensates another person for the purposes of lobbying, shall register with the Secretary of State as provided in this Act, unless that person or entity qualifies for one or more of the following exemptions.

(1) Persons or entities who, for the purpose of influencing any executive, legislative, or administrative action and who do not make expenditures that are reportable pursuant to Section 6, appear without compensation or promise thereof only as witnesses before committees of the House and Senate for the purpose of explaining or arguing for or against the passage of or action upon any legislation then pending before those committees, or who seek without compensation or promise thereof the approval or veto of any legislation by the Governor.

(1.4) A unit of local government or a school district.

(1.5) An elected or appointed official or an employee of a unit of local government or school district who, in the scope of his or her public office or employment, seeks to influence executive, legislative, or administrative action exclusively on behalf of that unit of local government or school district.

(2) Persons or entities who own, publish, or are employed by a newspaper or other regularly published periodical, or who own or are employed by a radio station, television station, or other bona fide news medium that in the ordinary course of business disseminates news, editorial or other comment, or paid advertisements that directly urge the passage or defeat of legislation. This exemption is not applicable to such an individual insofar as he or she receives additional compensation or expenses from some source other than the bona fide news medium for the purpose of influencing executive, legislative, or administrative action. This exemption does not apply to newspapers and periodicals owned by or published by trade associations and not-for-profit corporations engaged primarily in endeavors other than dissemination of news.

(3) Persons or entities performing professional services in drafting bills or in advising and rendering opinions to clients as to the construction and effect of proposed or pending legislation when those professional services are not otherwise, directly or indirectly, connected with executive, legislative, or administrative action.

(4) Persons or entities who are employees of departments, divisions, or agencies of State government and who appear before committees of the House and Senate for the purpose of explaining how the passage of or action upon any legislation then pending before those committees will affect those departments, divisions, or agencies of State government.

(5) Employees of the General Assembly, legislators, legislative agencies, and legislative commissions who, in the course of their official duties only, engage in activities that otherwise qualify as lobbying.

(6) Persons or entities in possession of technical skills and knowledge relevant to certain areas of executive, legislative, or administrative actions, whose skills and knowledge would be helpful to officials when considering those actions, whose activities are limited to making occasional appearances for or communicating on behalf of a registrant, and who do not make expenditures that are reportable pursuant to Section 6 even though receiving expense reimbursement for those occasional appearances.

(7) Any full-time employee of a bona fide church or religious organization who represents that organization solely for the purpose of protecting the right of the members thereof to practice the religious doctrines of that church or religious organization, or any such bona fide church or religious organization.

(8) Persons or entities that receive no compensation other than reimbursement for expenses of up to $500 per year while engaged in lobbying State government, unless those persons make expenditures that are reportable under Section 6.

(9) Any attorney or group or firm of attorneys in the course of representing a client in any administrative or judicial proceeding, or any witness providing testimony in any administrative or judicial proceeding, in which ex parte communications are not allowed and who does not make expenditures that are reportable pursuant to Section 6.

(9.5) Any attorney or group or firm of attorneys in the course of representing a client in an administrative or executive action involving a contractual or purchasing arrangement and who does not make expenditures that are reportable pursuant to Section 6.

(10) Persons or entities who, in the scope of their employment as a vendor, offer or solicit an official for the purchase of any goods or services when (1) the solicitation is limited to either an oral inquiry or written advertisements and informative literature; or (2) the goods and services are subject to competitive bidding requirements of the Illinois Procurement Code; or (3) the goods and services are for sale at a cost not to exceed $5,000; and (4) the persons or entities do not make expenditures that are reportable under Section 6.

(a-5) Except as provided in Section 9, any natural person who, for compensation or other pecuniary interest, communicates with any unit of local government for the ultimate purpose of influencing official action of the unit of local government concerning an automated traffic law enforcement system, or any person or entity who employs or compensates another person for the purposes of such communications, shall register with the Secretary of State as provided in this Act. This subsection (a-5) shall not apply to communications made to judicial bodies or administrative courts regarding the prosecution or defense of alleged violations of Section 11-306 of the Illinois Vehicle Code or similar local ordinances obtained by the unit of local government through automated traffic law enforcement systems. For the purposes of this subsection (a-5), "automated traffic law enforcement system" has the same meaning as provided under Section 11-208.6 of the Illinois Vehicle Code.

(b) It is a violation of this Act to engage in lobbying or to employ any person for the purpose of lobbying who is not registered with the Office of the Secretary of State, except upon condition that the person register and the person does in fact register within 2 business days after being employed or retained for lobbying services.

(c) The Secretary shall promulgate a rule establishing a list of the entities required to register under this Act, including the name of each board, commission, authority, or task force. The Secretary may require a person or entity claiming an exemption under this Section to certify the person or entity is not required to register under this Act. Nothing prohibits the Secretary from rejecting a certification and requiring a person or entity to register.

(Source: P.A. 96-555, eff. 1-1-10; 96-1358, eff. 7-28-10.)