2015 -- H 5802

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LC002018

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY - LOBBYING

     Introduced By: Representative Anastasia P. Williams

     Date Introduced: March 05, 2015

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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

is hereby amended to read as follows:

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

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

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

identification badge for each entity represented evidencing qualification in the form as shall be

prescribed by the secretary of state. Every lobbyist shall conspicuously display this identification

badge on his or her clothing while in the state house at all times of the day during any legislative

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

joint committee meeting of the general assembly. The badge shall include, but not be limited to,

the word "Lobbyist" in bold print as well as the name of the lobbyist, the year, and the name of

the employer.

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

dollars ($5.00) per entity represented, shall be paid by the lobbyist. Any lobbyist issued an

identification badge pursuant to this section shall obtain a separate badge for each entity

represented and shall pay a one-time annual fee of one hundred fifty dollars ($150) for the

issuance of the first identification badge. For each additional identification badge a fee of ten

dollars ($10.00) per entity shall be assessed. The fee shall be paid to the secretary of state at the

time of registration for deposit in the state's general treasury.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY - LOBBYING

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     This act would increase the annual fee for obtaining a lobbyist badge from five dollars

($5.00) to one hundred fifty dollars ($150) and provides that additional badges would be provided

for ten dollars ($10.00) each.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC002018

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