2010 Tennessee Code
Title 3 - Legislature
Chapter 6 - Ethics and Lobbying
Part 3 - Lobbyists.
3-6-307 - Exemption of lobbying activities when paid only out-of-pocket personal expenses.

3-6-307. Exemption of lobbying activities when paid only out-of-pocket personal expenses.

(a)  Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, if a person receives as compensation for lobbying only reimbursement for actual out-of-pocket personal expenses, and if the person receives reimbursement for ten (10) days or less per year, then the person is not a lobbyist for purposes of this chapter or § 67-4-1702(a)(1).

(b)  Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, if a person receives as compensation for lobbying only reimbursement for actual out-of-pocket personal expenses, and if the person receives the reimbursement for more than ten (10) days per year, then the person shall register as a lobbyist and shall comply with all lobbyist requirements imposed pursuant to this chapter; provided, however, that the commission shall waive the person's registration fee and the person shall be exempt from payment of the occupational privilege tax on lobbyists imposed by § 67-4-1702(a)(1).

(c)  Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, if an individual or entity employs, retains or otherwise arranges for one or more persons to engage in lobbying for compensation, and if the only compensation paid is reimbursement for actual out-of-pocket personal expenses, and if the reimbursement is not paid for more than ten (10) days per person per year, then the individual or entity is not an employer of a lobbyist for purposes of this chapter.

(d)  For purposes of this section, the term “out-of-pocket personal expenses” includes such things as the lobbyist registration fee, legislative information services material, copying expenses, transportation costs, parking fees, and personal lodging and food expenses incurred while actually engaging in lobbying. Reimbursement for transportation, parking, personal lodging and food costs shall be limited to expenses allowed for those items in the comprehensive state travel regulations. No such reimbursed expenses shall be for the benefit of any public official, except for informational materials delivered to public officials.

[Acts 2006 (1st Ex. Sess.) ch. 1, § 35; 2008, ch. 1182, § 1.]