HF 2526

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 04/03/2017 07:55pm

A bill for an act
relating to lobbyists; requiring disclosure of potential conflicts of interest; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 10A.04, subdivision 4; proposing coding for new
law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 10A.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 10A.04, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Content.

(a) A report under this section must include information the board
requires from the registration form and the information required by this subdivision for the
reporting period.

(b) A lobbyist must report the lobbyist's total disbursements on lobbying, separately
listing lobbying to influence legislative action, lobbying to influence administrative action,
and lobbying to influence the official actions of a metropolitan governmental unit, and a
breakdown of disbursements for each of those kinds of lobbying into categories specified
by the board, including but not limited to the cost of publication and distribution of each
publication used in lobbying; other printing; media, including the cost of production; postage;
travel; fees, including allowances; entertainment; telephone and telegraph; and other
expenses.

(c) A lobbyist must report the amount and nature of each gift, item, or benefit, excluding
contributions to a candidate, equal in value to $5 or more, given or paid to any official, as
defined in section 10A.071, subdivision 1, by the lobbyist or an employer or employee of
the lobbyist. The list must include the name and address of each official to whom the gift,
item, or benefit was given or paid and the date it was given or paid.

(d) A lobbyist must report each original source of money in excess of $500 in any year
used for the purpose of lobbying to influence legislative action, administrative action, or
the official action of a metropolitan governmental unit. The list must include the name,
address, and employer, or, if self-employed, the occupation and principal place of business,
of each payer of money in excess of $500.

(e) new text begin A lobbyist must certify that the lobbyist has complied with the requirements of section
10A.062, if applicable.
new text end

new text begin (f) new text end On the report due June 15, the lobbyist must provide a general description of the
subjects lobbied in the previous 12 months.

Sec. 2.

new text begin [10A.062] DISCLOSURE OF POTENTIAL CONFLICTS.
new text end

new text begin (a) A lobbyist must disclose all known conflicts to any principal on whose behalf the
lobbyist is retained or employed for the purpose of lobbying. A lobbyist may not lobby on
behalf of a principal if doing so may create a conflict with another principal that the lobbyist
represents, unless all principals affected by the potential conflict have provided their written,
informed consent to the lobbyist's representation despite the potential conflict.
new text end

new text begin (b) For purposes of this section, "conflict" includes, but is not limited to, advocating a
position on behalf of a principal while also representing another principal on the same issue
with a conflicting position, or advocating a position on behalf of a principal that may have
a significant adverse impact on the interests of another principal represented by the lobbyist.
new text end