Senate Bill 2734 Summary

• Creates the State Agency Lobbying Reform Act of 2018 to restrict state agencies from using public funds to lobby the Legislature and prevent reforms.

• Prohibits state agencies from contracting with lobbyists and limits lobbying activities to only the director and deputy director of each agency, who may not delegate to staff.

• Bans state agencies from paying dues to organizations that engage in lobbying activities.

• Requires state agencies that lobby to file quarterly statements with the Secretary of State disclosing the names and salaries of employees who lobbied, time spent lobbying, itemized expenditures, specific legislation targeted, and legislators contacted.

• Establishes civil penalties for state agency officials who expend public funds in violation of lobbying restrictions, with penalties equivalent to funds expended, and prohibits violating agencies from lobbying for up to two years.