HOUSE BILL 73

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2017

INTRODUCED BY

Jim Dines and Joanne J. Ferrary

and Nathan P. Small

AN ACT

RELATING TO LOBBYING; PROHIBITING FORMER STATEWIDE ELECTED OFFICIALS, FORMER PUBLIC REGULATION COMMISSIONERS, FORMER LEGISLATORS AND FORMER CABINET SECRETARIES FROM ACCEPTING COMPENSATION AS LOBBYISTS FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS AFTER THEIR SERVICE; PROHIBITING EMPLOYERS OF LOBBYISTS FROM COMPENSATING FORMER STATEWIDE ELECTED OFFICIALS, FORMER PUBLIC REGULATION COMMISSIONERS, FORMER LEGISLATORS AND FORMER CABINET SECRETARIES AS LOBBYISTS FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS AFTER SERVICE; IMPOSING A PENALTY.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. A new section of the Lobbyist Regulation Act is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] RESTRICTION ON LOBBYING BY CERTAIN FORMER PUBLIC OFFICIALS--PENALTY.--

          A. A former statewide elected official, a former public regulation commissioner, a former state legislator or a former cabinet secretary shall not accept compensation as a lobbyist for a period of two calendar years after service as a statewide elected official, public regulation commissioner, state legislator or cabinet secretary.

          B. A lobbyist's employer shall not compensate a former statewide elected official, a former public regulation commissioner, a former state legislator or a former cabinet secretary as a lobbyist for a period of two calendar years after the person served as a statewide elected official, public regulation commissioner, state legislator or cabinet secretary.

          C. A person who violates a provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-19-1 NMSA 1978."

     SECTION 2. APPLICABILITY.--The provisions of this act apply to all persons who hold the office of statewide elected official, public regulation commissioner, state legislator or cabinet secretary on or after July 1, 2017.

     SECTION 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2017.

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