2006 Louisiana Laws - RS 24:55 — Lobbyist expenditure reports

§55.  Lobbyist expenditure reports

A.  Each lobbyist registered under the provisions of this Part shall file with the board, in the manner provided in this Section, a report of all expenditures  incurred for the purpose of lobbying.

B.  A report shall be filed semi-annually, and shall be filed, or if mailed shall be postmarked, as follows:

(1)  By August fifteenth for the period from January first through June thirtieth.

(2)  By February fifteenth for the period from July first through December thirty-first.

C.  The report shall be filed on forms provided by the board, shall be signed by the person filing, and shall include a certification of accuracy by the person responsible for filing the report, as provided by R.S. 24:54(A).

D.(1)  Each report shall include the  following:

(a)  The total of all expenditures made during each reporting period.

(b)  The aggregate total of expenditures attributable to an individual legislator as provided in Subsection E of this Section during each reporting period, including the name of the legislator.

(c)  The aggregate total of expenditures for all reporting periods during the same calendar year.

(d)  The aggregate total of all expenditures attributable to an individual legislator as provided in Subsection E of this Section for all reporting periods during the same calendar year, including the name of the legislator.

(2)  For the purposes of this Section, the aggregate amount or any per occasion amount attributable to a legislator shall not include any expenditure which is required to be reported in Paragraph F(1) of this Section or which is exempt under Paragraph F(2) or (3) of this Section.

E.  When the aggregate expenditure for any one legislator exceeds the sum of fifty dollars on any one occasion, or when the aggregate expenditure for any one legislator exceeds the sum of two hundred fifty dollars in a reporting period, then the total amount of expenditures for the legislator during the reporting period shall be attributable to an individual legislator.

F.(1)  Each report shall include a statement of the expenditure for each reception, social gathering, or other function to which the entire legislature, either house, any standing committee, select committee, statutory committee, committee created by resolution of either house, subcommittee of any committee, recognized caucus, or any delegation thereof, is invited which amount is attributable to such invitation.  Any report of such amount shall include the name of the group or groups invited and the date and location of the reception, social gathering, or other function.

(2)  Any expenditure, as defined herein, for any reception or social gathering sponsored in whole or in part by a lobbyist, individually or on behalf of a principal he represents, held in conjunction with a meeting of a national or regional organization of legislators or legislative staff to which any legislator is invited shall be exempt from the provisions of this Part.

(3)  Any expenditure for any meal or refreshment consumed by or offered to a legislator in connection with the legislator giving a speech, being a member of a panel, or otherwise being involved in an informational presentation to a group shall not be reportable.  However, any expenditure for any meal or refreshment consumed by a legislator in connection with any out-of-state event permitted by R.S. 42:1123(16) shall be reported in accordance with the provisions of this Section.

G.(1)  Any expenditures by a lobbyist's principal or employer made in the presence of the lobbyist shall be reported by the lobbyist as provided in this Part.

(2)  Any lobbyist's principal or employer who makes direct expenditures required to be reported pursuant to this Part shall timely furnish its lobbyist information about such expenditures as necessary for compliance with this Part.  Such information shall be furnished to the lobbyist no later than two business days after the close of each reporting period.

(3)  Any lobbyist's principal or employer who makes direct expenditures required to be reported pursuant to this Part who fails to provide its lobbyist the information regarding such expenditures as provided in Paragraph (2) of this Subsection shall be required to register as a lobbyist pursuant to this Part and shall be subject to penalties for violations of this Part.

Acts 1993, No. 965, §1, eff. Aug. 15, 1993; Acts 1996, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 64, §3, eff. July 1, 1996; Acts 1996, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 68, §1, eff. July 1, 1996; Acts 1999, No. 31, §1; Acts 2004, No. 116, §3, eff. June 2, 2004.

NOTE:  See Acts 1993, No. 965, §§4 AND 5.

NOTE:  See Acts 1996, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 68, §2.