An Act To Enhance Transparency in Government by Implementing a Waiting Period for Legislators before They May Register as Lobbyists
Maine Legislature, Session 126, LD 0184
Committee Amendment CA_A_H115 (House)
Amends: 1 MRSA §1008

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 144, L.D. 184, Bill, "An Act To 
Enhance Transparency in Government by Implementing a Waiting Period for Legislators 
before They May Register as Lobbyists" 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and before the 
summary and inserting the following: 
'Sec. 1. 1 MRSA §1008, sub-§4, as amended by IB 1995, c. 1, §5, is further 
amended to read: 
4. Lobbyist activities. To administer the lobbyist disclosure laws, Title 3, chapter 
15, and enforce the waiting period required before fonner Legislators may engage in 
compensated lobbying as provided by section 1024; 
Sec. 2. 1 MRS A § 1 024 is enacted to read: 
§1024. Waiting period before engaging in lobbying activities 
1. Actions precluded. Beginning with the convening of the 127th Legislature, a 
person who has served as a Legislator may not engage in activities that would require 
registration as a lobbyist or lobbyist associate as defined by Title 3, section 312-A, 
subsections 10 and 10-A, respectively, until one year after that person's tenn as a 
Legislator ends. 
This subsection may not be construed to prohibit uncompensated 
lobbying by a fonner Legislator during the one-year period following the end of that 
!~egislator's most recent tenn in office. 
2. 
Complaints and investigations. 
A person may file a complaint with the 
commission specifying an alleged violation of this section. The commission staff shall 
p.otify the party against whom the complaint has been filed and may undertake the 
investigation of the alleged violation if directed by the commission. The commission 
may direct commission staff to undertake an investigation of an alleged violation of this 
§ection on its own motion. 
3. Penalty. A person who intentionally violates this section is subject to a civil 
penalty not to exceed $1,000, payable to the State and recoverable in a civil action.' 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 'A" to H.P. 144, L.D. 184 
SUMMARY 
The purpose of this amendment is to prevent unethical practices of Legislators and 
former Legislators and to promote and maintain the public's confidence in the integrity of 
the legislative process. 
This amendment replaces the bill, which amended the statute governing lobbyist 
disclosure procedures to prohibit a former Legislator from engaging in lobbying for one 
year after the Legislator'S term ends. This amendment amends the provisions of law that 
govern legislative ethics to prohibit a former Legislator from engaging in activities that 
would require registration as a lobbyist or lobbyist associate until one year after that 
person's term as a Legislator ends. This prohibition begins with the 127th Legislature. 
The amendment specifies that uncompensated lobbying is not prohibited. 
The 
amendment specifies that the Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices 
is authorized to investigate complaints and impose a penalty of up to $1,000 for 
intentional violation of the waiting period. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 04125113 
~a'C 
.. 
LD 184 
LR 148(02) 
An Act To Enhance Transparency in Government by Implementing a Waiting Period for Legislators 
before They May Register as Lobbyists 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment 1\" (H-I /5 ) 
Committee: Veterans and Legal Affairs 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Minor revenue increase - General Fund 
Correctional and Judicial Impact Statements 
Establishes new civil violations. 
The collection of additional fines may also increase General Fund revenue by minor amounts. 
LR0148(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1