HB118 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Patricia Todd

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Ethics Commission, lobbyists required to disclose all expenditures on public officials, registration with Ethics Commission, Secs. 36-25-1, 36-25-19 am'd.

Summary

HB118 would make lobbying in Alabama more transparent by expanding disclosure of lobbyist spending and requiring Executive Branch lobbyists to register.

What This Bill Does

It requires lobbyists to disclose all expenditures on public officials, not just those above a daily threshold. It also requires individuals who lobby the Executive Branch to register with the State Ethics Commission. The bill broadens who is considered a lobbyist and sets detailed reporting rules for expenditures, loans, and business relationships, with quarterly filings by lobbyists and their principals.

Who It Affects

• Lobbyists and principals who hire lobbyists: must disclose all expenditures on public officials, register if they lobby the Executive Branch, and file detailed quarterly reports.
• Public officials, public employees, and their households: face expanded reporting of gifts, hospitality, travel, and other things of value received from lobbyists or related entities.

Key Provisions

• Lobbyists must disclose all expenditures on public officials (not limited to expenditures over a threshold).
• Anyone who lobbies the Executive Branch must register with the State Ethics Commission.
• Definitions expanded and clarified for terms like lobbyist, lobbying, public official, public employee, and related entities, affecting who must report.
• Detailed reporting requirements include costs of items exceeding $250 in a 24-hour period, financial transactions over $500 in the prior quarter, loans, and any direct business associations with public officials or candidates.
• Quarterly reporting by lobbyists and principals is required, with due dates January 31, April 30, July 31, and October 31 for each preceding calendar quarter.
• Reports must include recipient names, amounts, dates, and the type of expenditure, with specific provisions for things of value, hospitality, transportation, and related expenditures, including certain exemptions.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval, and includes severability provisions.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Ethics