CS/HB 7083 - Ethics Reform Summary

• Repeals restrictions on state employee lobbyists and creates new restrictions on elected officials' use of their names and images in public service announcements paid with public funds during election periods.

• Prohibits public officers and agency employees from soliciting prohibited employment or contractual relationships and requires disclosure of such offers to agency heads or the Commission on Ethics.

• Reduces post-employment representation restrictions for legislators and statewide elected officers from 6 years to 2 years before state agencies, and eliminates a prior ban on former legislators acting as lobbyists before executive branch agencies.

• Prohibits statewide elected officers and legislators from soliciting employment offers, investment advice, or profitmaking relationships with lobbyists or principals arising from official activities, with disclosure requirements to the Commission on Ethics.

• Revises lobbying registration requirements to require electronic registration and increases registration fees; authorizes the Commission on Ethics to dismiss complaints from random audits if public interest is not served.