House Bill 131

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 5-8-13, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROHIBIT A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATURE FROM ENGAGING IN ANY ACTIVITY OR PERFORMING ANY FUNCTION THAT REQUIRES REGISTRATION AS A LOBBYIST FOR A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR FROM AND AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF HIS OR HER TERM OF OFFICE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 5-8-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

5-8-13. (1) A lobbyist shall not contract to receive or accept compensation dependent upon the success or failure of a legislative or executive action.

(2) A lobbyist or lobbyist's client shall not knowingly or willfully make or cause to be made a false statement or misrepresentation of facts to an executive, legislative or public official or public employee, or to the public in general with the intent to affect the outcome of a legislative or executive action.

(3) A lobbyist or lobbyist's client shall not cause a legislative or executive action for the purpose of obtaining employment to lobby in support of or in opposition to the legislative or executive action.

(4) An executive, legislative or public official or public employee shall not be a lobbyist, except that he may act as a lobbyist when acting in his official capacity. No member of the Legislature shall engage in any activity or perform any function that requires registration as a lobbyist under the provisions of this chapter for a period of one (1) year from and after expiration of his or her term of office.

(5) A lobbyist must disclose anything of value given in whole or in part to any executive, legislative or public official or public employee.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2024.