SB0591 Summary

• Adds a 2-year "revolving door" prohibition preventing statewide elected officials, executive/administrative heads of state agencies, deputy heads of state agencies, and General Assembly members from becoming lobbyists within 2 years after leaving office or employment.

• Defines "lobbyist" to include individuals who receive compensation to influence legislation or executive orders, designated representatives of organizations that advocate for policy changes, and those representing government agencies on such matters.

• Provides specific exceptions to the lobbyist definition for political party officials, news media representatives, sitting elected officials performing official duties, witnesses at legislative hearings, congressional staff, state agency employees in inter-agency work, and unpaid board members of non-profit organizations.

• Maintains existing 1-year restrictions on former officers and state employees accepting employment from entities they previously awarded contracts to (valued at $25,000+) or made regulatory decisions affecting.

• Establishes inspector general review procedures and ethics commission appeals processes for employment determinations, with 10-day decision timelines.