Title: Local Government Lobbyist Registration Fees

Summary: Authorizing the Commission on Ethics to establish a lobbyist registration fee by rule; specifying limitations for such fee; specifying that a registration is incomplete until the commission receives a registration fee; prohibiting governmental entities from charging fees for lobbyist or principal registration, etc.

Full Text:
An act relating to local government lobbyist registration fees; amending s. 112.3262, F.S.; authorizing the Commission on Ethics to establish a lobbyist registration fee by rule; specifying limitations for such fee; specifying that a registration is incomplete until the commission receives a registration fee; prohibiting governmental entities from charging fees for lobbyist or principal registration; providing an exception for enforcement costs; providing a contingent effective date. Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1. Subsection (12) is added to section 112.3262, Florida Statutes, as created by SB __, to read: 112.3262 Lobbying before governmental entities.  (12)(a) The annual lobbyist registration fee shall be established by commission rule. The fee may not exceed $40 for each principal represented for one county and governmental entities therein or one multi-county governmental entity, or exceed $5 for each principal represented for each additional county and governmental entities therein or additional multi county governmental entities. In addition to any requirements in subsection (3), a registration is incomplete until the commission receives the lobbyist s registration fee. (b) A governmental entity may not charge a fee for the registration of lobbyists and principals, or for the enforcement of lobbyist regulation except as may be reasonable and necessary to cover the cost of such enforcement. A governmental entity may not charge a fee for enforcement upon initial registration. Such fees may only be charged in the event that an enforcement action is initiated and is limited to the direct and actual cost of enforcement. Section 2. This act shall take effect on the same date that SB __ or similar legislation takes effect, if such legislation is adopted in the same legislative session or an extension thereof and becomes a law.