Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass with amendment a bill that exempts certain individuals from the requirement to register as a lobbyist.

Highlights:

• Exempts economic development professionals from registering as lobbyists under the state ethics law (Sec. 3).

• Specifies that to qualify for the exemption economic development professionals can only discuss with public officials incentives or funds that are already available under state law (Sec. 3).

• Requires economic development professionals seeking new incentives or funds over which the legislature has discretionary control to register as a lobbyist (Sec. 3).

• Defines an economic development professional as any individual employed to advance an economic development or trade promotion project, whether it be for an employer, professional service entity, nonprofit organization or chamber of commerce (Sec. 3).

• Specifies that the exemption expires April 1, 2019 unless the legislature renews it (Sec. 3).

• Authorizes the State Industrial Development Authority to sell and issue bonds for the financing of industrial development projects, site preparations, and other related activity (Sec. 4).

• Authorizes the state to confirm and approve all grants and bonds made prior to the effective date of this act (Sec. 4).

Full Bill Text