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Biennial Filing Fee Increase Published in the July 10, 2010 PA Bulletin
Click here for more information.
PAGR Newsletter
The June 2010 Issue is now online.
Philadelphia Lobbying Disclosure Ordinance
Click here for more information.
Lobbying Legislation Passes House
H 1434 Lobbyist disclosure changes pass state House. The state House of Representatives Tuesday unanimously approved a bill that would increase penalties for lobbyists who fail to properly register or report in accordance with Pennsylvania's Lobbyist Disclosure Law. The measure, sponsored by Rep.
Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster, would increase the maximum administrative penalty that may be imposed by the State Ethics Commission for violations from $2,000 to $10,000 and the maximum lobbying prohibition from five to 10 years. In cases of negligent failure to register or report, the penalty would jump from $50 per day to $250 per day. The legislation also upgrades the offense of intentionally failing to register or report, or for filing a false report, from a second-degree misdemeanor to a first-degree misdemeanor. Such a violation could result in a second-degree misdemeanor and fines of up to $100,000, with a 10-year lobbying prohibition. In a press release issued after the House vote, Cutler said:
"It was a victory when the Lobbyist Disclosure Law was passed, but we have seen cases of lobbyists ignoring the law, failing to register and writing off the fine as the cost of doing business. I think this legislation will add some teeth to the law so it will not be overlooked." The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.
Click here to view the bill.
PAGR Testimony to Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development and House Gaming Oversight Committees
February 2, 2010
Click here to read the testimony.
Lobbyist Identification Badge
The following information will clarify how lobbyists can obtain a Lobbyist Identification Badge from the Security Administration Office.
Click here for more information.
Manual for accounting and reporting—how to comply with Act 134 of 2006
Located in the January 9th edition of the Pennsylvania Bulletin is the Lobbying Disclosure Regulation Committee Statement of Policy.
Click here for more information.
Pennsylvania Department of State Lobbying Disclosure Alerts
December 31, 2009 marks the cut-off date for the 4th Quarter Expense Report for Lobbying Disclosure. The 4th Quarter Expense Report is due January 30, 2010.
You may access our website to file reports online 24-hours a day: www.palobbyingservices.state.pa.us
For your convenience, paper expense reports can also be filed until 5:00 pm at 210 North Office Building, or submitted at the front entrance of the Capitol from 5:00 pm until midnight on the day the report is due.
*Please be aware that all registered principals (regardless of the amount spent toward lobbying per quarter) are required to file either a quarterly expense report, or, if not meeting the $2,500 per quarter threshold, the abbreviated statement reflecting lobbying activity until the registration is in a status of “terminated” or “expired.” (Abbreviated statements may be filed by indicating that lobbying expenses did not exceed $2,500.00 during a given quarter.)
In some cases, a registered lobbying firm or lobbyist may be required to file an expense report if not all of the lobbying firm or lobbyist’s expenses are reported by affiliated principals. However, if all expenses for a lobbying firm or lobbyist are reported by an affiliated principal, then the lobbying firm or lobbyist is not required to file an expense report.
NOTE: Failure to file a quarterly expense report or statement may result in disciplinary action. In order for a registrant to be in compliance, all required expense reports/statements must be filed. Please review your records, and submit any delinquent expense reports/statements required to bring your records into compliance.
Please contact our office by phone or e-mail, if you have any questions about your filing requirements under Act 134 of 2006.
Biennial Registration Fee Increase
Below is a link to the IRRC Staff Memo submitted in response to the proposed rulemaking increasing the Biennial Registration Fee from $100 to $200. Bottom line, IRRC is asking the Department of State to explain how introducing the proposed regulations 139 days after the statutorily-mandated date of June 1, 2009 is within the statutory language of the Lobbyist Disclosure Act.
Click here for more information.
Attention PAGR members:
The Department of State is proposing to DOUBLE the registration fee for the 2011-12 cycle, from $100 to $200.
Click here for more information.
This is PAGR's response to the proposed increase.
Lobbying Disclosure Manual - PAGR's Response
This is PAGR's response to the request for input from the regulated community as to what matters should be addressed in the upcoming Lobbying Disclosure Manual.
Click here to download the comments (PDF)
2009/2010 Legislative Directories
The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business & Industry’s convenient, pocket-size quick reference is available to all PAGR members for just $7.50 a copy. There’s no minimum to buy. Order 1, 10 or 100 and it’s just $7.50 a copy! (Non-members may order for $12.50 per copy) The cover of the directory will feature a beautiful full-color photo of the capitol and the PAGR logo.
Click here to download an order form (PDF)
Comments on Proposed Lobbying Regulations
Quarterly Expense Reports
There are Updated DRAFT Quarterly Expense Reports on the Department of State's website, www.dos.state.pa.us. To access, click on "Lobbying Disclosure".
Important Message for all Lobbyists:
Effective immediately there is a $10.00 fee for all Commonwealth ID badges (new ones and renewals). Please see the attached for details.
You heard it here first - thanks for being a PAGR member!
Renewal Letter (PDF) | Application (PDF)
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