HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 988        FILED ON: 1/15/2019

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2795

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Aaron Vega, (BY REQUEST)

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act enabling lobbying by the public on behalf of social and environmental justice.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 988        FILED ON: 1/15/2019

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2795

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-First General Court
(2019-2020)

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An Act enabling lobbying by the public on behalf of social and environmental justice.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Chapter 55 of the General Laws Title VIII Part I is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

There shall be registration of state lobbyists advocating independently for social and environmental justice for the public good, who shall not lobby for the financial interests of any business nor for the establishment of a business nor be employed by a business.

Such lobbyists may take donations from the public for state lobbying activities including the writing of legislation, providing for lobbying materials, and lobbying government. Such lobbyists may take donations from businesses provided that a financial motivation particular to the business does not exist for the donation, and provided that donations from the public shall be equal or greater in number than donations from the public, if not in total amount of funds, or provided that the total amount provided by the public is greater than that provided by businesses.

In consideration that these lobbyists shall request donations under the auspices of social and environmental justice, there shall be a ceiling for yearly taxable income allowed for such a lobbyist. After subtracting expenditures, yearly taxable income of such lobbyists shall not exceed $88,000, as indexed to inflation. Similarly after subtracting expenditures, monthly income of such lobbyists shall not exceed $7,000. Expenditures for lobbying purposes shall not be included in calculating yearly taxable income.

Such lobbyists shall not provide payments of any kind to a government official, excepting reasonable purchase of snacks and drinks for a presentation or relevant meeting.

Lobbyists shall clearly and honestly provide donors before donations with information regarding subjects and bills being promoted through lobbying.

Individuals shall register as independent lobbyists and may work with other independent lobbyists to form campaigns, or may form an independent lobbying group, registering together and providing a group registration and report.

(a) Initial registration shall include a fee of $75 or, if forming as an independent lobbying group, $75 per person and: (1) The lobbyist's name, address, and telephone number; (2) The calendar year for which the lobbyist is registering; (3) If relevant, the website, business title, business address, and business telephone number for public distribution; (4) The types of public servants being lobbied; (5) The subject areas on which the lobbyist will lobby including, if or when known, bill numbers; (6) Certification by the lobbyist that the information contained on the lobbyist registration form is true and correct.

(b) Reports due at the end of the tax year shall include: (1) Updated registration information; (2) A list of all donors providing funds of $500 or greater, indexed to inflation, including names, address, and, if relevant, nature of business; (3) Total receipts and total expenditures, including a list of all expenditures of $300 or greater, as indexed to inflation; (4) a listing of employees or consultants providing services including names, addresses, and type of service or business; and (5) a report demonstrating lobbying activity.

The director of campaigns and political finance shall provide a mechanism by paper or online for filing, and, except for private address and telephone number, shall provide for the public a information on registered independent lobbyists including subjects & bills covered, lobbying work, and public contact information.

Registration to operate as an independent lobbyist shall be denied if a lobbyist is found to misuse donated funds, fail to lobby, or otherwise breach the trust of donors.