HB508 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

April WeaverSenator

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Ed HenryLynn GreerJim PattersonJamie IsonJohn MerrillTerri CollinsBecky NordgrenMack N. ButlerMargie WilcoxWes LongPhil WilliamsKerry RichChad FincherRandy WoodMike HubbardRandy DavisJack WilliamsDan WilliamsAllen FarleyMark TuggleMary Sue McClurkinBarry MooreMicky HammonRichard BaughnKen JohnsonHoward SanderfordDavid SessionsKurt WallaceWayne Johnson

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Code of Ethics, definition of principal expanded, lobbyist required to identify principals that stand to benefit from lobbyist activities, Secs. 36-25-1, 36-25-18 am'd.

Summary

HB508 expands who counts as a principal under Alabama ethics law and requires lobbyists to name the principals who benefit from their lobbying when the principal also lobbies.

What This Bill Does

The bill clarifies that the definition of principal includes entities or individuals that directly or indirectly employ or retain a lobbyist and are the true or primary beneficiaries of the lobbying. It then requires lobbyists, in addition to naming the employer directly paying them, to identify the employing entity's principal(s) that stand to benefit from the lobbyist's activities when the employer is also engaged in lobbying. The changes apply to sections 36-25-1 and 36-25-18 of the Code of Alabama and are aimed at increasing transparency in lobbying relationships.

Who It Affects

• Lobbyists and lobbying activities: must disclose not only who pays the lobbyist, but also the principal(s) who stand to benefit when the employer also lobbies.
• Principal entities or individuals who employ or retain lobbyists: their status as principals is emphasized, and they may need to disclose which beneficiaries in the lobbying activities are connected to them.

Key Provisions

• Expanded definition of principal to include entities or individuals that directly or indirectly employ or compensate a lobbyist and which are the true beneficiaries of lobbying activities.
• New requirement for lobbyists to identify the employing or compensating entity's principal(s) that stand to benefit from the lobbyist's activities when the employing entity is also directly lobbying, in addition to identifying the entity that directly employs the lobbyist.

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