MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2017 Regular Session

To: Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency

By: Senator(s) Clarke

Senate Bill 2641

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 5-8-13, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT STATE-APPROPRIATED FUNDS MAY NOT BE USED TO COMPENSATE A CONTRACT LOBBYIST; 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)  (a)  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.

          (b)  No state-appropriated funds may be paid to a person as compensation for lobbying unless the person is a state employee.

     (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, 2017.