Bill > H5194

This bill amends several sections of the South Carolina Code of Laws relating to the regulation, registration, and reporting of lobbying, lobbyists, and lobbyists' principals. The key provisions of this bill are: 1. It expands the existing lobbying regulations to also apply to public officials and public employees of counties, municipalities, and other local governmental entities, as well as individuals or entities employed, appointed, or retained to influence covered local governmental actions through direct communication with local public officials or public employees. 2. It defines "covered local governmental action" to include the proposal, drafting, development, consideration, amendment, withdrawal, or promulgation of rules or regulations by local government bodies. 3. It expands the definition of "legislation" to include ordinances, amendments, or resolutions proposed, introduced, or considered by local government bodies. 4. It expands the definition of "lobbying" and "lobbyist" to include promoting or opposing through direct communication with local public officials or public employees the introduction or enactment of covered local governmental actions. 5. It prohibits certain officials of local governments from serving as lobbyists during and for one year after their public service. 6. It requires registration and reporting by local government lobbyists and their principals, similar to state-level lobbying requirements. 7. It applies restrictions and prohibitions related to gifts, campaign contributions, and other interactions between lobbyists/principals and local public officials and employees, similar to the existing state-level provisions.

Budget and Finance

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=5194&session=124&summary=B