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2011 SESSION

10104404D
HOUSE BILL NO. 524
AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE
(Proposed by the House Committee on General Laws
on January 26, 2010)
(Patron Prior to Substitute--Delegate Nixon)
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-426, 2.2-428, and 2.2-431 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Secretary of the Commonwealth; lobbyist disclosure.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That §§ 2.2-426, 2.2-428, and 2.2-431 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 2.2-426. Lobbyist reporting; penalty.

A. Each lobbyist shall file a separate annual report of expenditures, including gifts, for each principal for whom he lobbies by July 1 for the preceding 12-month period complete through April 30.

B. Each principal who expends more than $500 to employ or compensate multiple lobbyists shall be responsible for filing a consolidated lobbyist report pursuant to this section in any case in which the lobbyists are each exempt under the provisions of subdivision 7 or 8 of § 2.2-420 from the reporting requirements of this section.

C. The report shall be on a form provided by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, which shall be substantially as follows and shall be accompanied by instructions provided by the Secretary.


                     LOBBYIST'S DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
  PART I:
  (1) PRINCIPAL:  ......................................................
  In Part I, item 2a, provide the name of the individual authorizing your
  employment as a lobbyist. The lobbyist filing this statement MAY NOT 

  list his name in item 2a. THE INDIVIDUAL LISTED IN PART I, ITEM 2A, 
  MUST SIGN THE PRINCIPAL'S STATEMENT.
  (2a) Name:  ..................................................
  (2b) Permanent Business Address:  ............................
  (2c) Business Telephone:  ....................................
  (3) Provide a list of executive and legislative actions (with as much
  specificity as possible) for which you lobbied and a description of 

  activities conducted.
  ...............................................................
  ...............................................................
  ...............................................................
  (4) INCORPORATED FILINGS: If you are filing an incorporated disclosure
  statement, please complete the following:
  Individual filing financial information:  .........................
  Individuals to be included in the filing:  ........................
  ...................................................................
  (5) Please indicate which schedules will be attached to your disclosure
  statement:
  — ] Schedule A: Entertainment Expenses
  — ] Schedule B: Gifts
  — ] Schedule C: Other Expenses
  (6) EXPENDITURE TOTALS:
  a) ENTERTAINMENT  .................................... $  ..........
  b) GIFTS  ............................................ $  ..........
  c) OFFICE EXPENSES  .................................. $  ..........
  d) COMMUNICATIONS  ................................... $  ..........
  e) PERSONAL LIVING AND TRAVEL EXPENSES  .............. $  ..........
  f) COMPENSATION OF LOBBYISTS  ........................ $  ..........
  g) HONORARIA  ........................................ $  ..........
  h) REGISTRATION COSTS  ............................... $  ..........
  i) OTHER  ............................................ $  ..........
  TOTAL  ............................................... $  ..........
  PART II:
  (1a) NAME OF LOBBYIST:  .........................................
  (1b) Permanent Business Address:  ...............................
  (1c) Business Telephone:  .......................................
  (2) As a lobbyist, you are (check one)
  — ] EMPLOYED (on the payroll of the principal)
  — ] RETAINED (not on the payroll of the principal, however compensated)
  — ] NOT COMPENSATED (not compensated; expenses may be reimbursed)
  (3) List all lobbyists other than yourself who registered to represent 

  your principal.
  .................................................................
  .................................................................
  .................................................................
  (4) If you selected "EMPLOYED" as your answer to Part II, item 2, 

  provide your job title.
  .................................................................
  PLEASE NOTE: Some lobbyists are not individually compensated for 

  lobbying activities. This may occur when several members of a firm
  
represent a single principal. The principal, in turn, makes a single
  
payment to the firm. If this describes your situation, do not answer 
  Part II, items 5a and 5b. Instead, complete Part III, items 1 and 2.
  (5a) What was the DOLLAR AMOUNT OF YOUR COMPENSATION as a lobbyist?

  (If you have job responsibilities other than those involving lobbying,
  
you may have to prorate to determine the part of your salary 
  attributable to your lobbying activities.) Transfer your answer to 
  this item to Part I, item 6f.
  (5b) Explain how you arrived at your answer to Part II, item 5a.
  ..................................................................
  ..................................................................
  ..................................................................
  PART III:
  PLEASE NOTE: If you answered Part II, items 5a and 5b, you WILL NOT

  complete this section.
  (1) List all members of your firm, organization, association, 

  
corporation, or
  other entity who furnished lobbying services to your principal.
  ..................................................................
  ..................................................................
  ..................................................................
  (2) Indicate the total amount paid to your firm, organization, 

  association, corporation or other entity for services rendered. 
  Transfer your answer to this item to Part I, item 6f ............
                            SCHEDULE A
                        ENTERTAINMENT EXPENSES
  PLEASE NOTE: Any single entertainment event included in the expense 

  
totals of the principal, with a value greater than $50, should be 
  itemized below.
  Transfer any totals from this schedule to Part I, item 6a. 

  
(Please duplicate as needed.)
  Date and Location of Event:
  ...................................................................
  ...................................................................
  Description of Event:
  ...................................................................
  ...................................................................
  Total Number of Persons Attending:
  ............
  Names of Legislative and Executive Officials Attending: (List names 

  only if the average value for each person attending the event was 
  greater than $50.)
  ...................................................................
  ...................................................................
  ...................................................................
  ...................................................................
  Food  ................................................... $  .........
  Beverages  .............................................. $  .........
  Transportation of Legislative and Executive Officials ... $  .........
  Lodging of Legislative and Executive Officials  ......... $  .........
  Performers, Speakers, Etc.  ............................. $  .........
  Displays  ............................................... $  .........
  Rentals  ................................................ $  .........
  Service Personnel  ...................................... $  .........
  Miscellaneous  .......................................... $  .........
  TOTAL  .................................................. $  .........
                                   SCHEDULE B
                                     GIFTS
  PLEASE NOTE: Any single gift reported in the expense totals of the 

  principal, with a value greater than $50, should be itemized below. 
  (Report meals, entertainment and travel under Schedule A.) 
  Transfer any totals from this schedule to Part I, item 6b. 
  
(Please duplicate as needed.)
  Date       Description    Name of each           Cost of
  of gift:   of gift:       legislative or         individual
                            executive official     gift:
                            who is a recipient
                            of a gift:
  ........  ............  ................... $  ..........
  ........  ............  ................... $  ..........
  ........  ............  ................... $  ..........
  ........  ............  ................... $  ..........
  TOTAL COST TO PRINCIPAL  .................. $  ..........
                               SCHEDULE C
                              OTHER EXPENSES
  PLEASE NOTE: This section is provided for any lobbying-related 

  expenses not covered in Part I, items 6a - 6h. An example of an
  
expenditure to be listed on schedule C would be the rental of a 
  bill box during the General Assembly session. Transfer the total 
  
from this schedule to Part I, item 6i. (Pleaseduplicate as needed.)
  DATE OF EXPENSE DESCRIPTION OF EXPENSE AMOUNT
  ....................  .................... $  ............
  ....................  .................... $  ............
  ....................  .................... $  ............
  ....................  .................... $  ............
  ....................  .................... $  ............
  ....................  .................... $  ............
  ....................  .................... $  ............
  ....................  .................... $  ............
  ....................  .................... $  ............
  TOTAL "OTHER" EXPENSES  .................. $  ............
  PART IV: STATEMENTS
  Both the lobbyist and principal officer must sign the disclosure 

  statement, attesting to its completeness and accuracy. The following
  items are mandatory and if they are not properly completed, the entire 
  filing will be rejected and returned to the lobbyist:
  (1) All signatures on the statement must be ORIGINAL in the format specified
  in the instructions provided by the Secretary that accompany this form. No
  stamps, or other reproductions of the individual's signature will be 

  accepted.
  (2) An individual MAY NOT sign the disclosure statement as lobbyist and
  principal officer.
                         STATEMENT OF LOBBYIST
  I, the undersigned registered lobbyist, do state that the information
  furnished on this disclosure statement and on all accompanying attachments
  required to be made thereto is, to the best of my knowledge and belief,
  complete and accurate.
                                            ............
                                            Signature of lobbyist
                                            ............
                                            Date
                       STATEMENT OF PRINCIPAL
  I, the undersigned principal (or an authorized official thereof), do state
  that the information furnished on this disclosure statement and on all
  accompanying attachments required to be made thereto is, to the best of my
  knowledge and belief, complete and accurate.
                                           ............
                                           Signature of principal
                                           ............
                                           Date 
 
  Period Covered:  May 1, (YYYY) to April 30, (YYYY)
   
  1. Name of Principal
   
  Principal:___________________________________________________________
   
  2. Lobbyist Information
 
  Last Name:_____________________________________ Suffix:______________
   
  First Name:_____________________________ Middle Name:________________
   
  Business Address:_______________________________ Suite/Apt:__________
   
  City:____________________________ State:__________ Zip:______________
   
  Work Phone:_(____)____________________ Email:________________________
   
  3. Lobbyist’s Relationship to Principal
   
  [       ] Lobbyist was Employed by Principal
            Job Title:_________________________________________________
            Total compensation for lobbying during period: $___________
            Does this amount represent lobbyist’s entire salary during
             period? Yes_____ No______
            If answer is “No,” explain how you arrived at amount com-
             pensated for lobbying:
            ___________________________________________________________
            ___________________________________________________________
   
  [       ] Lobbyist was Retained by Principal
            Name of Firm:______________________________________________
            Total Compensation paid to firm for lobbying during period:
             $_____________
            Does this amount represent total amount paid to firm
             (retainers and fees) during period? Yes_____ No______
            If answer is “No,” explain how you arrived at amount com-
             pensated for lobbying:
            ___________________________________________________________
            ___________________________________________________________
   
  [       ] Lobbyist was a Nonpaid Volunteer for the Principal
   
  4. Incorporated Reporting
   
  Is this lobbyist part of an incorporated filing that includes actions
   taken on behalf of a client and the expenditure summary for more
   than one lobbyist registered on behalf of the client?
   Yes______No______
   
  If “No,” proceed to Section 5.
  If “Yes,” provide the name of lobbyist of record for the incorporated filing:
   
  Lobbyist of record for incorporated filing:
 
  Last Name:_____________First Name:_____________Middle Name:__________
   
  If you are the lobbyist of record, proceed to Section 5.
  If you are not the lobbyist of record, skip Sections 5 and 6 and pro-
   ceed to Section 7.
   
  5. Legislative and Executive Actions
   
  Did lobbyist actually engage in lobbying on the principal’s behalf
   during the time period covered? Yes_____ No______
   
  If “No,” proceed to Section 6.
   
  List the general matters of concern that you (and any other lobbyists
   included in an incorporated filing) lobbied on behalf of the princi-
   pal:
  _____________________________________________________________________
  _____________________________________________________________________
  List all legislative actions, including where appropriate the assigned
  House of Delegates or Senate bill or resolution numbers, that you and any other
  lobbyist included in an incorporated filing sought to influence the
  outcome of during the period of this report:
  _____________________________________________________________________
  _____________________________________________________________________
  _____________________________________________________________________
  _____________________________________________________________________
  _____________________________________________________________________
  (Attach separate sheet if necessary.)
   
  List all executive actions that you and any other lobbyist included in
  an incorporated filing sought to influence during disclosure period.
  "Sought to influence" shall mean any direct contact by any means to a
  member of the (i) legislature or legislative staff, or (ii) the executive
  branch or staff, or (iii) public, seeking support on, an amendment
  to, or opposition to, a legislative or executive action.
_____________________________________________________________________
  _____________________________________________________________________
  (Attach separate sheet if necessary.)
   
  6. Financial Summary
   
  Expenditure Totals
  a) Entertainment                $_______[      ]“Schedule A” Attached
  b) Gifts                        $_______[      ]“Schedule B” Attached
  c) Office Expenses              $________
  d) Communications               $________
  e) Personal Living/Travel       $________
  f) Compensation of Lobbyists    $________
  g) Registration Fees            $________
  h) Other                        $_______[      ]“Schedule C” Attached
   
  Total Expenditures:             $________
   
  If the expenditure totals above represent an incorporated filing for
  more than one lobbyist, list the names of all other lobbyists includ-
  ed in these expenditure totals:
   
  Name (Last Name, First Name)      Firm (if retained) or Title
                                     (if employed)
  ____________________________      ___________________________________
  ____________________________      ___________________________________
  ____________________________      ___________________________________
  ____________________________      ___________________________________
  ____________________________      ___________________________________
  ____________________________      ___________________________________
  ____________________________      ___________________________________
  ____________________________      ___________________________________
  ____________________________      ___________________________________
  ____________________________      ___________________________________
  (Attach separate sheet if necessary.)
   
  7. Statement of Lobbyist
   
  I, the undersigned registered lobbyist, do state that all the infor-
   mation provided on this disclosure statement and all the required
   attachments made thereto is, to the best of my knowledge and belief,
   complete and accurate.
   
  ____________________________      ___________________________________
  Signature                         Date
   
  8. Statement of Authorized Representative of Principal
   
  I, the undersigned authorized representative of the principal, do
   state that all the information provided on this disclosure statement
   and all the required attachments made thereto is, to the best of my
   knowledge and belief, complete and accurate.
   
  Authorized Representative (Cannot be same person as lobbyist listed
   above)
   
  Last Name:____________________________________ Suffix:_______________
   
  First Name:______________________ Middle Name:_______________________
   
  Business Street Address:___________________________ Suite/Apt:_______
   
  City:_________________________________ State:__________ Zip:_________
   
  Work Phone: (____)____________________ Email:________________________
   
  ____________________________      ___________________________________
  Signature                         Date
  

                                  Schedule A

                            Entertainment Expenses
   
  This schedule shall be completed each time the lobbyist spends money
   on behalf of the principal for any entertainment expense in which
   (a) guests included executive or legislative officials and (b) the
   total cost of the event was $50 or more.
   
  If (a) and (b) above are true, the lobbyist shall complete this form
   even if the principal’s share of event was less than $50.
   
  Date of Event (MM/DD/YYYY): ____/____/_________
  Description of Event:________________________________________________
  Location of Event:___________________________________________________
  City Where Event Held:__________________________________ State_______
   
  Did principal pay for entire cost of the event? Yes_____ No______
   
  Summary of Principal’s Costs
  Food/Beverage:        $_________
  Transportation:       $_________
  Lodging:              $_________
  Tickets/Admissions    $_________
  Performers/Speakers:  $_________
  Rentals/Displays:     $_________
  Service/Tip:          $_________
  Other:                $_________     Describe “Other”:_______________
   
  Total:                $_________
                                        
                                        
   
  (Include the principal's total cost in "entertainment" expenses in
  expenditure totals. If the entertainment event was open to the public
  or unrelated to executive or legislative action and reportable
  executive or legislative officials represented less than 10 percent
  of the attendees, then the principal's total cost of the event need
  not be reported. However, the total cost of entertaining the
  reportable officials shall be reported.)
   
  Number of Executive and Legislative Officials Attending:_____________
   
  If average cost per person for the entire entertainment event was $50
  or more, or the entire cost for each executive or legislative
  official attending was more $50 or more, provide names of executive
  and administrative officials who attended:
   
  Name (Last Name, First Name)                        Title
   
  _____________________________________________       _________________
  _____________________________________________       _________________
  _____________________________________________       _________________
  _____________________________________________       _________________
  _____________________________________________       _________________
  (Attach separate sheet if necessary.)
   
  _____________________________________________________________________
   
                                  Schedule B
                                     Gifts
   
  This schedule shall be filled out each time the principal contributes
   all or part of a gift to an executive or legislative official valued
   at $50 or more. (Complete this form even if the principal’s share
   of gift was less than $50.)
   
  Date of Gift: ____/___/____     Total Cost of Gift: $________________
  Did principal’s share account for the total value of the gift?
   Yes______No______
  If No, list the principal’s share of the cost of the total gift:
   $______________
  Description of Gift:_________________________________________________
   
  Recipient Last Name:_______________________________ Suffix:__________
  First Name:_________________________ Middle Name:____________________
   
  Recipient’s Title:___________________________________________________
   
  Date of Gift: ____/___/____     Total Cost of Gift: $________________
  Did principal’s share account for the total value of the gift?
   Yes_____ No______
  If No, list the principal’s share of the cost of the total gift:
   $ _____________
  Description of Gift:_________________________________________________
  Recipient Last Name:_______________________________ Suffix:__________
  First Name:_______________________ Middle Name:______________________
   
  Recipient’s Title:___________________________________________________
   
  Date of Gift: __/___/_____    Total Cost of Gift: $__________________
  Did principal’s share account for the total value of the gift?
   Yes_____ No______
  If No, list the principal’s share of the cost of the total gift:
   $______________
  Description of Gift:_________________________________________________
  Recipient Last Name:________________________________ Suffix:_________
  First Name:_______________________ Middle Name:______________________
  Recipient’s Title:___________________________________________________
   
                                  Schedule C
                                Other Expenses
   
  This schedule shall be filled out for each time principal incurred
   lobbying-related expense of $250 or more that is not covered by line
   items “a” through “g” in the expenditure totals.
   
  Date           Description                                 Amount
  ___/___/____   _______________________________________     $_________
  ___/___/____   _______________________________________     $_________
  ___/___/____   _______________________________________     $_________
  ___/___/____   _______________________________________     $_________
  ___/___/____   _______________________________________     $_________
   
  Total (Include total amount to expenditure totals)         $_________
   

D. A person who signs the disclosure statement knowing it to contain a material misstatement of fact shall be guilty of a Class 5 felony.

E. Each lobbyist shall send to each legislative and executive official who is required to be identified by name on Schedule A or B of the Lobbyist's Disclosure Form a copy of Schedule A or B or a summary of the information pertaining to that official. Copies or summaries shall be provided to the official by December 15 for the preceding 12-month period complete through November 30.

§ 2.2-428. Standards for automated preparation and transmittal of lobbyists' disclosure statements; database.

A. The In lieu of a hard copy, the Secretary shall accept any lobbyist's disclosure statement required by § 2.2-426 filed by computer or electronic means in accordance with the standards approved by the Secretary and using software meeting standards approved by the Secretary. The Secretary may provide software to filers without charge or at a reasonable cost. The Secretary may prescribe the method of execution and certification of electronically filed statements and the procedures for receiving statements in the office of the Secretary.

B. The Secretary shall establish a lobbyist disclosure database, available to the public, from required disclosure statements filed electronically and may enter into that database information from required disclosure statements filed by other methods.

§ 2.2-431. Penalties; filing of substituted statement.

A. The lobbyist shall sign the disclosure statement prescribed by § 2.2-426 attesting to its completeness and accuracy. The Secretary shall review each statement for completeness and if a statement is not properly completed, the entire filing shall be rejected and returned to the lobbyist. The lobbyist shall submit a revised statement within 30 days from receipt of the returned statement.

B. Every lobbyist failing to file the statement prescribed by § 2.2-426 within the time prescribed therein shall be assessed a civil penalty of fifty dollars $50, and every individual failing to file the statement within ten 30 days after the time prescribed herein shall be assessed an additional civil penalty of fifty dollars $50 per day from the eleventh 31st day of such default until the statement is filed. The penalties shall be assessed and collected by the Secretary. The Attorney General shall assist the Secretary in collecting the penalties, upon request.

B. C. Every lobbyist's principal whose lobbyist fails to file the statement prescribed by § 2.2-426 shall be assessed a civil penalty of fifty dollars $50, and shall be assessed an additional civil penalty of fifty dollars $50 per day from the eleventh 31st day of such default until the statement is filed. The penalty shall be assessed and collected by the Secretary. The Attorney General shall assist the Secretary in collecting the penalties, upon request.

C. D. No individual who has failed to file the statement required by § 2.2-426 or who has failed to pay all penalties assessed pursuant to this section, shall register or act as a lobbyist as long as he remains in default.

D. E. Whenever any lobbyist is or will be in default under § 2.2-426, and the reasons for such default are or will be beyond his control, or the control of his principal, or both, the Secretary may suspend the assessment of any penalty otherwise assessable and accept a substituted statement, upon the submission of sworn proofs that shall satisfy him that the default has been beyond the control of the lobbyist or his principal, and that the substituted statement contains the most accurate and complete information available after the exercise of due diligence.

E. F. Penalties collected pursuant to this section shall be payable to the State Treasurer for deposit to the general fund.