2012 -- H 7122

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

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A N A C T

RELATING TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY - LOBBYING

     Introduced By: Representatives Ruggiero, Valencia, Ehrhardt, Hull, and Bennett

     Date Introduced: January 12, 2012

     Referred To: House Judiciary

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 22-10-8 of the General Laws in Chapter 22-10 entitled "Lobbying"

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is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     22-10-8. Identification badge. -- (a) There shall be issued by the secretary of state to

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every person who shall qualify as a legislative lobbyist, as provided in this chapter, and who shall

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have complied with the provisions of this chapter for the prior calendar year, if applicable, an

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identification badge evidencing qualification in the form as shall be prescribed by the secretary of

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state. Every lobbyist shall conspicuously display this identification badge on his or her clothing

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while in the state house at all times of the day during any legislative session, special legislative

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session, and at all times of the day during any committee meeting or joint committee meeting of

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the general assembly. The color of the identification badge shall be changed each legislative year.

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The badge shall include, but not be limited to, the word "Lobbyist" in bold print as well as the

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name of the lobbyist, the year, the registration number of the lobbyist, and the name of the

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employer.

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      (b) An annual fee equal to the actual cost of preparing the badge badges, but not

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exceeding five dollars ($5.00) per entity represented, shall be paid by the lobbyist. The fee shall

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be paid to the secretary of state at the time of registration for deposit in the state's general

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treasury.

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     SECTION 2. Section 42-139-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-139 entitled

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"Executive Branch and Public Corporation Lobbying" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     42-139-4. Entry of names of lobbyists on register required. – (a) Every person,

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corporation, or association that engages any person to act as a lobbyist as defined in section 42-

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139-2 shall, after the commencement of the annual session, within seven (7) days after the date of

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such employment, cause the name of the person, corporation, or association and the name of the

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person so engaged, or agreed to be engaged, as well as a brief summary of the subject matter, to

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be entered in the register as herein provided in the office of the secretary of state. It shall also be

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the duty of the person so engaged as a lobbyist to enter or cause to be entered his or her name in

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the register within seven (7) days after his or her date of employment. Upon the termination of the

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engagement, that fact shall be entered opposite the name of any person so engaged by the

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employer or employee.

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     (b) No person, corporation or association shall be allowed to cause the name of the

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person, corporation or association and the name of the person so engaged to be entered into the

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register of the office of the secretary of state unless full compliance, if any required, of the

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provisions of this chapter have been met for the prior calendar year.

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     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY - LOBBYING

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     This act would make certain changes to the style and fee structure relating to legislative

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lobbyist badges. This act would also require a lobbyist registered to lobby the executive branch

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under chapter 42-139 of the general laws to have fully complied with the requirements of that

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chapter in the previous calendar year prior to registering for the current legislative session.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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