HB 2300 Summary

• Paid Political Consultant Definition: Adds definition of "paid political consultant" and prohibits members of the general assembly from accepting compensation as paid political consultants for other officials or campaign committees.

• Lobbying Restrictions: Members of the general assembly cannot register as legislative lobbyists until after the first regular session following their last service; prohibits solicitation of members to become lobbyists while holding office.

• Campaign Finance Limits: Establishes $5,000 contribution limit per election for state and local offices; prohibits fund transfers between committees except to campaign committees, candidate committees, or continuing committees (with penalties for violations).

• Lobbyist Expenditure Reporting: Requires detailed monthly reporting of lobbyist expenditures to public officials including gifts, meals, travel, and entertainment, with $1,000 annual per-member limit on cumulative lobbyist expenditures.

• Ethics Commission Powers: Expands Missouri Ethics Commission authority to conduct independent investigations without complaints when reasonable grounds exist; increases investigation timelines from 120 to 90 days and extends executive director tenure to eight years.