Sec. 1. 3 MRSA §312-A, sub-§9, as amended by PL 1993, c. 446, Pt. A, §5, is further amended to read:

9. Lobbying. "Lobbying" means to communicate directly with any official in the Legislature for the purpose of influencing any legislative action, with any official within the executive branch for the purpose of influencing approval of or opposition to any legislative action or with the Governor for the purpose of influencing the approval or veto of a legislative action when reimbursement for expenditures or compensation is made for those activities. It includes the time spent to prepare and submit to the Governor, an official within the executive branch, a Legislator or a legislative committee oral and written proposals for, or testimony or analyses concerning, a legislative action. "Lobbying" also includes communicating directly with or preparing oral or written proposals for any official in the Legislature, any official within the executive branch or the Governor for the purpose of influencing any action regarding agency rules or proposed rules.

SUMMARY

This bill amends the definition of "lobbying" under the lobbyist disclosure laws to ensure that all the reporting and disclosure requirements currently in place for lobbyists apply to individuals who lobby any official in the executive branch of State Government in addition to officials in the legislative branch and the Governor.

The bill also includes communications regarding agency rules or proposed rules.