Bill > H3020

This bill aims to regulate municipal lobbying in Massachusetts. Key provisions include: 1. Defining a "covered municipal official" as a mayor, city manager, city councilor, school committee member, or municipal department head in cities with over 150,000 residents. 2. Defining a "municipal agent" as a person who, for compensation, engages in municipal lobbying, which includes communicating with a government employee to influence a decision on a municipal ordinance, action, or other governmental decision. 3. Requiring municipal agents to register with the state secretary and pay an annual $50 filing fee. 4. Prohibiting contingency-based compensation for municipal lobbying. 5. Mandating detailed reporting requirements for municipal agents, including disclosing clients, lobbying activities, and expenditures. 6. Expanding existing reporting requirements for organizations that engage in municipal lobbying without employing a municipal agent. 7. Applying various enforcement and penalty provisions related to legislative lobbying to the new municipal lobbying regulations. The overall goal of this bill is to increase transparency and accountability in municipal decision-making processes by regulating the activities of individuals and organizations seeking to influence local government officials.

Government Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H3020