HB155 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Marcel Black

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Ethics Law, definition of lobbyist and lobbying to include persons attempting to influence no bid contracts, Sec. 36-25-1 am'd.

Summary

HB155 would expand who is considered a lobbyist by including people who try to influence non-competitively bid state contracts.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the bill broadens the scope of lobbying to cover attempts to influence awards of contracts, grants, or procurements that are not competitively bid with state agencies. It adds these non-competitive contracts to the list of activities that count as lobbying and requires the involved individuals to register with the State Ethics Commission and file reports. There is an exception for certain utility contracts where competition doesn’t exist or rates are set by law. The bill also updates various definitions and clarifies who is a 'principal' and who is exempt or affected, with hospital employees exempted, and sets an effective date for the act.

Who It Affects

• Individuals or organizations who lobby or attempt to influence non-competitive state contracts (the expanded lobbyists and their principals) — they would need to register as lobbyists and file ethics reports.
• State agencies and public officials who award or oversee non-competitive contracts — their interactions would be subject to the expanded definitions and oversight, and enforcement would apply through the State Ethics Commission.

Key Provisions

• Expands the definition of lobbyist and lobbying to include attempts to influence non-competitively bid contracts with state executive departments or agencies (and grants or contracts not bid).
• Includes an exception for utility contracts where no competition exists or rates are set by law; such contracts are excluded from this non-competitive category for lobbying purposes.
• Defines 'principal' and allows a principal to hire or act as its own lobbyist; expands who must register, including consultants and regular lobbying participants.
• Amends multiple definitions in Section 36-25-1 to align with the expanded scope, including terms like public official, public employee, and governmental entities; hospital employees are exempt.
• Effective date: the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage.

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