HB 1666-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE
15Feb2024... 0380h
2024 SESSION
24-2650
12/05
HOUSE BILL 1666-FN
AN ACT relative to income reporting requirements for lobbyists.
SPONSORS: Rep. Potenza, Straf. 19; Rep. Read, Rock. 10; Rep. Wheeler, Hills. 33; Rep. Booras, Hills. 8; Rep. Sellers, Graf. 18; Rep. Mazur, Hills. 44; Rep. Wherry, Hills. 13; Rep. Thackston, Ches. 12; Rep. Post, Hills. 42; Rep. Terry, Belk. 7
COMMITTEE: Legislative Administration
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ANALYSIS
This bill requires lobbyists to identify clients and income received from lobbying activity. The bill also authorizes the secretary of state to enforce lobbyist statement requirements.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
15Feb2024... 0380h 24-2650
12/05
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Four
AN ACT relative to income reporting requirements for lobbyists.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 State Government; Lobbyists; Registration. Amend RSA 15:1, I to read as follows:
I. Any person who is employed for a consideration by any other person, except the state of New Hampshire, in a representative capacity for the purposes specified in paragraph II of this section shall first register as a lobbyist with the secretary of state through the secretary of state's online lobbyist filing system. Each registration shall report the existence of a relationship between a single client and either a single lobbyist or a partnership, firm, or corporation with one or more partners, members, or employees of a firm acting as lobbyist.
2 Lobbyist Statements; Filing Dates. Amend RSA 15:6, II to read as follows:
II. Lobbyists shall electronically file statements no later than [the last Wednesday of each January, April, July, and October] January 31, May 31, and September 30, covering all fees received and expenditures, contributions, honorariums, or expense reimbursements made since the last required filing, from fees received at any time from a lobbying client or employer or from funds otherwise provided by the lobbyist, partnership, firm, or corporation, or from the client or employer.
3 Lobbyist Statements; Electronic Filing Requirement. Amend the introductory paragraph of RSA 15:6, V to read as follows:
V. The lobbyist statement shall be [in the form prescribed by the secretary of state, may be in paper or electronic form, and] filed electronically with the secretary of state in a format that enables the secretary of state to link all information regarding income and expenses, political contributions, and honorariums or expense reimbursements submitted by an individual lobbyist under this section.
4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2027.
24-2650
Revised 3/14/24
Amended 3/12/24
HB 1666-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE (AMENDMENT #2024-0380h)
AN ACT relative to income reporting requirements for lobbyists.
FISCAL IMPACT: [ X ] State [ ] County [ ] Local [ ] None
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Estimated State Impact - Increase / (Decrease) | ||||||
| FY 2024 | FY 2025 | FY 2026 | FY 2027 | ||
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Revenue Fund(s) | None | |||||
Expenditures | $0 | $0 | $50,000 to $150,000 | |||
Funding Source(s) | General Fund | |||||
Appropriations | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Funding Source(s) | None | |||||
• Does this bill provide sufficient funding to cover estimated expenditures? [X] No • Does this bill authorize new positions to implement this bill? [X] N/A | ||||||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill changes the filing requirements for lobbyists reducing the annual filings from four statements a year to three statements a year. Furthermore, starting January 1, 2027, all lobbyist registrations and filings must be conducted online. The designated effective date allows the Secretary of State enough time to develop, contract, test, and implement the online system. It is anticipated that the upcoming campaign finance system, set to be launched soon, can be adapted with some modifications to meet the legislative requirements. The estimated fiscal impact for the one-time system modifications range from $50,000 to $150,000, however, the Department is unable to determine when the expense will occur.
There is no appropriation in this bill to cover the estimated costs to implement this bill.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of State