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LC 992

Prohibit direct or indirect expenditure of public money to hire lobbyist

2025 Regular Session

Prohibits using public funds to hire lobbyists, directly or indirectly, forcing governments to curb lobbying spend and redirect resources.

(LC) Draft Ready for Delivery
#courts(seealso:judgesandjustices;juriesandjurors) #legislature #localfinance(seealso:cityfinance;countyfinance) #localgovernment(seealso:citysubjects;countysubjects) #statefinance(seealso:appropriations;taxationsubjects) #stategovernment
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · LC 992

Summary of LC 992 — Prohibit direct or indirect expenditure of public money to hire lobbyist

Overview

LC 992 is a draft bill introduced on November 11, 2024, with the designation “Draft Ready for Delivery.” The bill’s core aim is to forbid the use of public funds to hire lobbyists, whether payments are made directly or indirectly. It falls under multiple subject areas, including Courts, Legislature, Local Finance, Local Government, State Finance, and State Government, indicating a broad intended reach across state and local government activities.

Purpose and Intent

  • Primary objective: Prevent the use of public money to employ lobbyists.
  • Rationale: The bill appears designed to limit lobbying activity funded by public resources, potentially reducing external influence over legislative and administrative processes.

Key Provisions (as indicated by the bill’s title)

  • Direct prohibition: No public funds may be expended to hire a lobbyist.
  • Indirect prohibition: The prohibition also applies to indirect expenditures (e.g., payments routed through contractors or intermediary arrangements that result in lobbying activity funded by public money).
  • Definitions and scope: The specific definitions of terms such as “public money” and “lobbyist,” and the exact scope of applicability (which entities are covered) are not provided in the available information. The bill’s broader subject classifications imply coverage of state and local government entities, including courts and legislative bodies.

Note: The exact text, definitions, exceptions, enforcement mechanisms, penalties, and any reporting requirements are not included in the information provided. These details would appear in the full bill language.

Scope and Affected Parties

  • Intended to affect governmental bodies at both state and local levels that expend public funds.
  • Likely applicable to agencies, departments, local governments, and possibly related entities (e.g., courts, legislative offices), given the listed subject areas.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduced: November 11, 2024.
  • Legislative Actions (selected milestones):
    • 2024-11-11: Drafter Assigned
    • 2025-01-20: Draft in Legal Review
    • 2025-01-28: Draft in Input/Proofing; Draft in Assembly; Draft in Final Drafter Review; Draft in Edit; Draft in Final Assembly stages
    • 2025-01-29: (LC) Draft Ready for Delivery
  • Status: (LC) Draft Ready for Delivery (i.e., in the final drafting stage, prepared for submission).

Potential Impacts to Watch

  • Fiscal: If enacted, governments would need to reallocate funds away from lobbying activities toward other functions.
  • Procedural: Likely requires changes to procurement and contracting rules to ensure no public money is used for lobbying, including indirect arrangements.
  • Transparency: Possible accompanying reporting or disclosure requirements, depending on the final text.

For readers seeking concrete details (definitions, exceptions, penalties, enforcement, and specific scope), the full bill language will be needed.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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