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Wisconsin Government Accountability Board
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Lobbying in Wisconsin - Advanced Seminar New Fee Structure For Lobbyist Licenses Pop Quiz – Review the Basics Review of Prohibited Practices 2013 Wisconsin Act 153 Changes FOCUS Enhancements to Eye On Lobbying Frequent Mistakes To Avoid Question and Answer Session
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Fees (Per Legislative Session) Single Lobbyist License - $250 Multiple Lobbyist License - $400 Authorization to Lobby - $125 Principal Registration - $375 Limited Principal Registration - $20 FOCUS Subscription -$100
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Fees Scenario #1 A non-profit organization pays a staff member to lobby on its behalf as a part of her normal duties. She is paid $30,000 per year, and does not lobby on behalf of anyone else. What fees are required? Principal Registration $375 Authorization to Lobby $125 Single Lobbyist License $250 TOTAL$750
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Fees Scenario #2 A self-employed contract lobbyist lobbies on behalf of four principals. What fees are required? Multiple Lobby License$400 Principal Registration x4$1,500 Lobbyist Authorization x4$500 TOTAL$2,400
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Fees Scenario #3 A firm represents four lobbying principals. The firm employs three lobbyists. Each lobbyist represents two principals. What fees are required? Principal Registration x4$1,500 Multiple Lobby License x3 $1,200 Lobbyist Authorization x6$750 TOTAL$3,450
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Pop Quiz – Review The Basics Who has to register or obtain a license? Lobbyists ○ An individual who for compensation communicates with state officials for the purpose of lobbying on 5 or more days in a six-month period. ○ Excludes communicating with own legislators ○ Cannot be delinquent on taxes, child support, or unemployment insurance Principals ○ A business or organization that pays an individual to try to influence legislation or administrative rulemaking and that individual communicates with state officials or legislative employees on five or more days during a six- month reporting period
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Licensing/Registration Scenario #1 AAn organization employs two people to lobby on its behalf. One person communicates with Legislators on four occasions and the other on three occasions within a six-month reporting period. Who is required to obtain a lobbying license or principal registration? NNO ONE!!!
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Licensing/Registration Scenario #2 A business employs a governmental affairs specialist to represent it and communicate with Legislators monthly about the effects legislation has on their productivity. Who is required to be licensed or registered, and when? The business must register as a lobbying principal and authorize the lobbyist The governmental affairs specialist must obtain a lobbyist license Both must occur prior to the fifth communication with state public officials, but may do so sooner.
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Pop Quiz – Review The Basics 15-day reporting review Bills, rules, and budget subjects within 15 days of first communication Lobbying topics not yet assigned a bill or rule number within 15 days of first communication A topic may become a bill and then may be included in the budget Report on the Eye On Lobbying website: https://lobbying.wi.gov https://lobbying.wi.gov
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Pop Quiz – Review The Basics What is a lobbying topic? A succinct written statement sufficient to put the reader on notice of the communication’s subject matter and whether the communication is an attempt to influence legislative action, an administrative rule, or both. The statement should be equivalent to a bill or rule relating clause, but need not contain a statutory reference.
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Reporting Scenario #1 A principal’s lobbyist meets with a legislative aide to pursue the drafting of legislation that would create a tax exemption for dog food. The Legislator then introduces such a bill. During the budget drafting, the bill language is included in the Department of Revenue’s budget. The lobbyist continues to communicate with legislative staff throughout this process. What reporting is required of the principal?
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Reporting Scenario #1 - Answer Report within 15 days as a topic of the communication with the legislative aide Report within 15 days as a legislative matter once the bill is officially introduced Report within 15 days as a budget bill subject when incorporated into the budget bill
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Reporting Scenario #2 On October 1 st, a lobbyist spends two hours putting together a presentation on why the Legislature should pass a certain bill. On October 2 nd, the lobbyist meets with board members for one hour to discuss their legislative strategy for the presentation. On October 3 rd, the lobbyist drafts a letter to the organization’s members reminding them of the upcoming fall election. On October 4 th the lobbyist shares the presentation with three legislators for an hour each. How should the lobbyist report their time?
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Reporting Scenario #2 - Answer October 1 st - 2 hours – other October 2 nd - 1 hour – other October 3 rd – no time reported October 4 th - 3 hours - communicating
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Restrictions
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Wisconsin Statutes, §13.625 No lobbyist And no business or organization that employs a lobbyist (principal) May furnish anything of pecuniary value To an elected state official, candidate for state elective office, legislative employee, or agency official Except…
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Wisconsin Statutes, §13.625 Except: Reimbursement for presenting a talk Items and services a lobbying principal makes available to the general public Campaign contributions at certain times 2013 Wisconsin Act 153
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Campaign Contributions Contributions to candidates for local and non-partisan office allowed If not currently holding a partisan office A lobbyist may furnish a personal contribution to a partisan elected official or candidate for partisan state office: From the first day to circulate nomination papers (April 15 th ) until election day AND the Legislature has concluded its final floor period AND the Legislature is not in special or extraordinary session A lobbyist may furnish a contribution on behalf of a committee (PAC, Conduit, etc.) at any time
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Prohibited Practices Scenario #1 A lobbyist invites a Legislator to meet with three board members at the Old Fashioned to talk about introducing a bill to create a tax exemption for dog food. May the lobbyist purchase the Legislator’s lunch? No, because the Legislator is not presenting a talk. May a board member purchase the Legislator’s lunch? No, even though the lobbying law does not apply, this would violate the code of ethics for state public officials.
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Prohibited Practices Scenario #2 A Legislator is holding a fundraising event in February for his election in the fall. Can a lobbyist go to the fundraiser and provide a PAC check? Yes. Can a lobbyist go to the fundraiser and provide a personal check? No.
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Frequent Mistakes To Avoid Do not wait until the deadline for submitting the Statement of Lobbying Activities and Expenditures (SLAE) to report lobbying on topics, bills, budget bill subjects, or administrative rules. These reports would be considered late. Do not create a duplicate login account for the Eye On Lobbying website. Always contact the G.A.B. if you are unsure if you already have an account. Make sure you change your password from ‘123gab’ if G.A.B. staff reset your password for you. This is an unsecure password and could allow others to modify your reported information.
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Enhancements to Eye On Lobbying FOCUS Topic Carryover Multiple Supporting Documents FAQs Potential Future Projects Notes Column On Time Reports Improved Legislative Data (bills, committee hearings, rulemaking procedures, etc.)
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Where to get more information Guidelines on the G.A.B. website Eye On Lobbying FAQs Advisory opinions [Prompt, confidential, authoritative] G.A.B. Staff
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Contact the G.A.B. For additional assistance please contact the G.A.B. or visit our website. Email: GABHelpDesk@wi.govGABHelpDesk@wi.gov Phone: (608) 261-2028 Online: https://gab.wi.govhttps://gab.wi.gov Eye On Lobbying: https://lobbying.wi.gov https://lobbying.wi.gov
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