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Bill

S 2136

Prohibits a person currently employed by the governor in the executive chamber or employed as a lobbyist from being appointed to a position that requires approval of the senate

2025 Regular Session Introduced by George Borrello and 5 co-sponsors

Prohibits any legislative agent with a federal or state corruption conviction from lobbying Massachusetts General Court members or staff.

REFERRED TO INVESTIGATIONS AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
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Bill Summary · S 2136

Summary — S 2136: “An Act relative to convicted lobbyists and legislative agents”

Status: Referred to Investigations and Government Operations (filed 01/14/2025; introduced in Senate 06/18/2025)
Primary sponsors: Tim Sheehy, Ryan C. Fattman, Liz Krueger; multiple cosponsors listed.

Purpose / Intent

The bill seeks to prevent persons who were previously convicted of federal or state corruption offenses from serving as lobbyists (legislative agents) who communicate with members of the Massachusetts General Court or their staff. The stated intent is to reduce the influence on lawmakers of persons with prior corruption convictions.

Key provision

  • Amends Section 39 of Chapter 3 of the Massachusetts General Laws by adding a single sentence (inserted after line 148):
    • “No legislative agent previously convicted of federal or state corruption charges shall be permitted to lobby elected officials of the general court or their staff.”
  • No other penalties, procedures, definitions, or enforcement mechanisms are included in the inserted language.

Who is affected

  • Directly affected: any person who is a “legislative agent” (i.e., a registered lobbyist/legislative agent under Massachusetts law) and who has a prior conviction for federal or state corruption charges. Such persons would be barred from lobbying members of the General Court or their staff.
  • Indirectly affected: lobbying firms, clients who hire lobbyists, the General Court and its staff (reduced contact with certain former offenders), and ethics/regulatory bodies that oversee lobbying registration and compliance.

Key ambiguities and implementation issues

  • The bill does not define “corruption charges” (e.g., which statutes, whether misdemeanors qualify, or whether plea agreements count).
  • It does not specify whether the ban is permanent or time-limited, whether it applies to convictions that have been expunged or pardoned, or whether convictions must be final and unappealable.
  • No enforcement mechanism, civil or criminal penalty, or agency responsibility is stated; the bill does not specify how compliance would be monitored or what sanctions would apply for violations.
  • Potential legal questions could arise about due process, collateral consequences, and statutory interpretation.

Legislative process & timeline (as provided)

  • Filed as Senate Docket No. 677 on 01/14/2025.
  • Referred to Investigations and Government Operations (01/15/2025).
  • Listed as introduced in Senate 06/18/2025; other committee referrals and hearing dates (State Administration & Regulatory Oversight; hearings scheduled/rescheduled for Oct–Nov 2025) are noted in the provided record.
  • Related prior-session bills: S 1572, S 7264; replaces SD 677.

Practical effect

If enacted as written, convicted individuals would be barred from lobbying the Massachusetts legislature, but further statutory clarification would likely be needed to implement, enforce, and defend the ban in practice. For full text and current status, consult the official Massachusetts legislative docket.

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

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