Pennsylvania HB 278: An Act amending Title 65 (Public Officers) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in lobbying disclosure, further providing for registration, for reporting, for exemption from registration and reporting and for administration; and making an editorial change.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 170
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 278
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY GROVE, KENYATTA, CUTLER AND GILLEN,
JANUARY 22, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, JANUARY 22, 2025
AN ACT
Amending Title 65 (Public Officers) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, in lobbying disclosure, further
providing for registration, for reporting, for exemption from
registration and reporting and for administration; and making
an editorial change.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The definition of "personnel expense" in section
13A03 of Title 65 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes is
amended to read:
§ 13A03. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
* * *
"Personnel expense." An expenditure for salaries or other
forms of compensation, benefits, vehicle allowances, bonuses and
reimbursable expenses paid to lobbyists, lobbying staff,
research and monitoring staff, consultants, publications and
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public relations staff, technical staff, clerical and
administrative support staff and includes individuals who engage
in lobbying but are exempt from reporting under section 13A06
(relating to exemption from [registration and] reporting). For
an individual for whom lobbying is incidental to regular
employment, the term means a good faith prorated estimate based
on the value of the time devoted to lobbying.
* * *
Section 2. Section 13A04(a) of Title 65 is amended and
subsection (e) is amended by adding a paragraph to read:
§ 13A04. Registration.
(a) General rule.--[Unless excluded under section 13A06
(relating to exemption from registration and reporting), a
lobbyist, lobbying firm or a principal must register with the
department electronically using the computerized filing system
developed by the department that is consistent with the purposes
of this chapter within ten days of acting in any capacity as a
lobbyist, lobbying firm or principal.] Registration shall be
biennial and shall begin January 1, 2007. Unless excluded under
section 13A06 (relating to exemption from reporting), the
following shall apply:
(1) A lobbyist, lobbying firm or a principal that is
registered at the end of a biennial term shall be
automatically registered for the next biennial term, unless a
notice of termination under subsection (e) is filed with the
department by January 10 of the next biennial term.
(2) A lobbyist, lobbying firm or a principal that is not
registered at the end of a biennial term or which has filed a
notice of termination under paragraph (1) or previously, must
register within 10 days of acting in any capacity as a
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lobbyist, lobbying firm or a principal.
* * *
(e) Termination.--
* * *
(5) A lobbyist, lobbying firm or principal may file a
notice of termination at the conclusion of the relationship
between a principal and a lobbyist or lobbying firm.
Section 3. Section 13A05(b)(8) and (d) of Title 65 are
amended and the section is amended by adding a subsection to
read:
§ 13A05. Reporting.
* * *
(b) Content.--
* * *
(8) A lobbying firm or a lobbyist not associated with a
lobbying firm shall submit a report electronically using the
computerized filing system developed by the department that
is consistent with the purpose of this chapter if the
lobbying firm or lobbyist engaged in lobbying on behalf of
any entity that is exempt under section 13A06(7), (8), (9) or
(10) (relating to exemption from [registration and]
reporting).
* * *
(d) Thresholds for reporting.--An expense report required
under this section shall be filed electronically using the
computerized filing system developed by the department that is
consistent with the purpose of this chapter when total expenses
for lobbying exceed [$2,500] $1 for a registered principal in a
reporting period. [In a reporting period in which total expenses
are $2,500 or less, a statement to that effect shall be filed
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electronically using the computerized filing system developed by
the department that is consistent with the purpose of this
chapter.]
(d.1) Additional reporting thresholds.--An expense report
required under this section shall be filed electronically using
the computerized filing system developed by the department that
is consistent with the purpose of this chapter when the economic
consideration for campaign consulting exceeds $2,500 for a
registered campaign consultant.
* * *
Section 4. Sections 13A06 and 13A08(f) and (j) of Title 65
are amended to read:
§ 13A06. Exemption from [registration and] reporting.
The following persons and activities shall be exempt from
[registration under section 1