46-222

Chapter 46.--LEGISLATURE

Article 2.--STATE GOVERNMENTAL ETHICS

 

   46-222. ‘‘Lobbyist’’ defined; exceptions. (a) ‘‘Lobbyist’’ means:

   (1) Any person employed in considerable degree for lobbying;

   (2) any person formally appointed as the primary representative of an organization or other person to lobby in person on state-owned or leased property;

   (3) any person who makes expenditures in an aggregate amount of $1,000 or more, exclusive of personal travel and subsistence expenses, in any calendar year for lobbying; or

   (4) any person hired as an independent contractor and compensated by an executive agency, as defined in K.S.A. 46-225, and amendments thereto, for the purpose of evaluation, management, consulting or acting as a liaison for the executive agency and who engages in lobbying, except an attorney or law firm representing the executive agency in a legal matter.

   (b) ‘‘Lobbyist’’ shall not include:

   (1) Any state officer or employee engaged in carrying out the duties of their office;

   (2) the employer of a lobbyist, if such lobbyist has registered the name and address of such employer under K.S.A. 46-265, and amendments thereto;

   (3) any nonprofit organization which has qualified under 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code of 1986, as amended, which is interstate in its operations and of which a primary purpose is the nonpartisan analysis, study or research of legislative procedures or practices and the dissemination of the results thereof to the public, irrespective of whether such organization may recommend a course of action as a result of such analysis, study or research;

   (4) any justice or commissioner of the supreme court or judge of the judicial branch or employee or officer of the judicial branch or, any member of a board, council or commission who is appointed by the supreme court or who is elected or appointed to exercise duties pertaining to functions of the judicial branch, when such person is engaged in performing a function or duty for the judicial branch; or

   (5) any appointed member of an advisory council, commission or board, who serves without compensation other than amounts for expense allowances or reimbursement of expenses as provided for in K.S.A. 75-3223(e), and amendments thereto, when such member is engaged in performing a function or duty for such council, commission or board.

History: L. 1974, ch. 353, § 8; L. 1975, ch. 272, §

2; L. 1991, ch. 150, § 23; July 1.

 

Law Review and Bar References:

“Compelled Cost Disclosure of Grass Roots Lobbying Expenses: Necessary Government Voyeurism or Chilled Political Speech?” Ron Smith, 6 Kan. J.L. & Pub. Pol’y, No. 1, 115 (1996).

 

Governmental Ethics Commission Opinions:

    Attorney representing client in lawsuit against state; activities constituting lobbying. 96-3.

     Hallmark cards giving to KDHE, greeting cards encouraging immunization of children. 96-10.

     Lobbying and lobbyist; providing legislative information on-line for promotion or opposition of legislation. 96-32.

     State legislator lobbying outside of Kansas on behalf of organization of which they are member. 97-42.

     Lobbying; superintendent of U.S.D.; group formed by school districts to meet with and host dinners where teachers, students and parents meet with legislators. 97-52.

     Computer websites which contain political viewpoints; need to register as lobbyist. 1999-48.

 

Attorney General's Opinions:

      Bribery; privatization pledge; contingent fees for lobbying prohibited. 91-23.