Section 42-139.1-1. – Title.

§ 42-139.1-1. Title. This chapter shall be known and may be cited as “The Rhode Island Lobbying Reform Act.” History of Section.P.L. 2016, ch. 62, § 3; P.L. 2016, ch. 69, § 3.

Section 42-139.1-10. – Failure to register — Complaints.

§ 42-139.1-10. Failure to register — Complaints. (a) On the secretary’s own motion or the sworn complaint of any person under the pains and penalty of perjury, the secretary may initiate a preliminary investigation into the activities of any person who has allegedly been engaged in lobbying without registration or who may be in violation […]

Section 42-139.1-11. – Duties and powers of the secretary.

§ 42-139.1-11. Duties and powers of the secretary. The secretary shall have the authority to perform any duties that are necessary to implement the provisions of this chapter. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the secretary is authorized and empowered to: (1) Develop forms for the required lobbying reports. (2) Develop a form of […]

Section 42-139.1-12. – Penalties.

§ 42-139.1-12. Penalties. Any person who knowingly and willfully violates the provisions of this chapter shall, in addition to the civil penalties provided herein, be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) and/or imprisonment for no longer than one year. History of Section.P.L. 2016, ch. 62, […]

Section 42-139.1-13. – Severability.

§ 42-139.1-13. Severability. If any provision of this chapter is held to be invalid for any reason, that invalidity shall not be construed to affect the validity of any other provisions in the chapter. History of Section.P.L. 2016, ch. 62, § 3; P.L. 2016, ch. 69, § 3.

Section 42-139.1-2. – Declaration of intent.

§ 42-139.1-2. Declaration of intent. (a) The preservation of responsible government requires that the people of the state be afforded the fullest opportunity to petition their government officials and to express their opinions. (b) Public confidence in the integrity of our government is strengthened by the identification of those who seek to influence governmental actions […]

Section 42-139.1-3. – Definitions.

§ 42-139.1-3. Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions apply: (1) “Appointed” or “engaged” means receiving compensation from another for lobbying. (2) “Compensation” means any remuneration or earnings received or to be received for services rendered as a lobbyist, including any fee, salary, forbearance, forgiveness, or any other form of recompense, […]

Section 42-139.1-4. – Registration and identification of lobbyists.

§ 42-139.1-4. Registration and identification of lobbyists. (a) The secretary shall maintain an online register of lobbyists. The online register shall be in a format, and shall contain such information as the secretary may direct, and shall be maintained as a public document. (b) Every lobbyist shall cause the following information to be entered into […]

Section 42-139.1-5. – Registration of persons engaging lobbyists or lobbying firms.

§ 42-139.1-5. Registration of persons engaging lobbyists or lobbying firms. (a) The secretary shall maintain an online register of persons that engage the services of a lobbyist or lobbying firm. The online register shall be in a format, and contain such information as the secretary may direct, and shall be maintained as a public document. […]

Section 42-139.1-6. – Lobbying reports — Lobbyists.

§ 42-139.1-6. Lobbying reports — Lobbyists. (a) Every registered lobbyist shall file with the secretary a report listing, for the indicated reporting period, the following information related to said lobbyist, together with all updates to said information upon each subsequent applicable filing: (1) All compensation that the lobbyist received for lobbying; (2) The name(s) of […]

Section 42-139.1-7. – Lobbying reports — Persons engaging the services of lobbyists or lobbying firms.

§ 42-139.1-7. Lobbying reports — Persons engaging the services of lobbyists or lobbying firms. (a) Every person who engages the services of a lobbyist or lobbying firm shall file with the secretary a report listing, for the indicated reporting period, the following information related to said person, together with all updates to said information upon […]

Section 42-139.1-8. – Contingent fee lobbying.

§ 42-139.1-8. Contingent fee lobbying. No person shall pay or accept any compensation for lobbying which is based in whole or in part on the degree to which such lobbying is or was successful in influencing any government action. History of Section.P.L. 2016, ch. 62, § 3; P.L. 2016, ch. 69, § 3.

Section 42-139.1-9. – Non-conforming reports — Failure to file — Penalties.

§ 42-139.1-9. Non-conforming reports — Failure to file — Penalties. (a) The secretary shall inspect the reports required by this chapter, and if it appears in the secretary’s reasonable discretion that any such report was not filed or does not conform to the provisions of this chapter, the secretary shall notify that person in writing. […]