SF2711

Purpose of the Bill

This bill aims to modify the rules surrounding lobbying activities for current Minnesota legislators. It seeks to prevent sitting members of the legislature from being employed by businesses involved in lobbying or government relations to ensure ethical governance and minimize conflicts of interest.

Main Provisions

• Employment Prohibition: Sitting legislators are banned from taking any job or receiving compensation from businesses whose primary revenue source is lobbying or government relations. This includes:

  1. Businesses primarily involved in lobbying activities.
  2. Businesses that facilitate government relations services between third parties.
  3. Any business employing or contracting lobbyists if legislators would work in roles related to providing lobbying services.

• Scope of Prohibition: The ban is applicable no matter where the business is based or where its clients operate. This means that even if a business or its clients are outside of Minnesota, the restriction still applies to prevent conflicts of interest.

• Implementation: The Minnesota House of Representatives and Senate are tasked with creating rules to enforce these prohibitions effectively.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill extends and clarifies the existing prohibitions on legislators' involvement in lobbying activities by defining the types of businesses and job roles that are off-limits, emphasizing direct or indirect involvement in government affairs or consulting.

Relevant Terms

• Legislator lobbying
• Government relations
• Conflicts of interest
• Lobbyists
• Legislative ethics