Bill > SB512

This bill establishes a new restriction under the Lobbyist Regulation Act, preventing certain former public officials from lobbying for a period of two years after leaving their positions. Specifically, this applies to individuals who served as statewide elected officials, public regulation commissioners, state legislators, or cabinet secretaries. The bill also prohibits lobbyists' employers from hiring these former officials as lobbyists during this two-year cooling-off period. Violating these provisions would be considered a misdemeanor, punishable by penalties outlined in Section 31-19-1 NMSA 1978. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2015, and will apply to those holding these offices on or after that date.