LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 1334, as amended, Blakeslee. Political Reform Act of 1974:
agents of foreign principals.
The Political Reform Act of 1974 provides for the comprehensive
regulation of lobbyists, as defined. Among its provisions, the act
requires a lobbyist to prepare a certification and periodic
expenditure and contribution reports, containing specified
information, to be filed with the Secretary of State. The act also
contains various proscriptions regarding lobbyists giving gifts and
engaging in other specified activities that may unduly influence
governmental functions.
This bill would expand the definition of "lobbyist" to include an
individual who acts as an agent or representative of a foreign
principal, as defined, and who communicates with any elective state
official, agency official, or legislative official for the purpose of
influencing legislative or administrative action. This bill would
require those individuals to register by filing a certification with
the Secretary of State and to file periodic expenditure and
contribution reports with the Secretary of State. This bill would
also make those individuals subject to all of the act's existing
proscriptions regarding gift giving and engaging in other prohibited
activities. In addition, this bill would provide that if a lobbyist
who is an agent of a foreign principal violates any of the act's
requirements or proscriptions, all representatives of that foreign
principal shall be prohibited from entering the State Capitol
Building and all other legislative offices for the balance of the
legislative session during which the violation occurred.
Existing law makes a willful violation of the Political Reform Act
of 1974 a misdemeanor and subjects offenders to criminal penalties.
This bill would impose a state-mandated local program by creating
additional crimes.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this
act for a specified reason.
The Political Reform Act of 1974, an initiative measure, provides
that the Legislature may amend the act to further the act's purposes
upon a 2/3 vote of each house and compliance with specified
procedural requirements.
This bill would declare that it furthers the purposes of the act.
Comments/questions on AB 1334 (Blakeslee): Political Reform Act of 1974: agents of foreign principals.
