SB 217

Currently, a lobbyist who is convicted of procuring his or her license by fraud

or perjury or any other person who is convicted of acting as a lobbyist without being

licensed is not eligible to be licensed as a lobbyist for a period of three years from the

date of that conviction. In addition, the license of any lobbyist who is convicted of a

violation of the lobbying regulation law may be revoked by the Government

Accountability Board for a period of not more than three years from the date of that

conviction, and a lobbyist who is convicted of a criminal violation of the lobbying

regulation law is ineligible for licensure as a lobbyist for a period of five years from

the date of that conviction.

This bill provides that no person who is convicted of a felony in any court of this

state or of the United States is eligible to be licensed as a lobbyist for a period of five

years from the date of conviction or until the person has served his or her sentence

and has otherwise satisfied the judgment against him or her, whichever is longer,

unless the person is pardoned of the conviction. The bill also directs the board to

revoke the license of any lobbyist upon conviction of the lobbyist of a felony in any

court of this state or of the United States. The bill provides that any person who

becomes ineligible for licensure as a lobbyist or whose license is revoked may apply

to the board for reinstatement of his of her license after the mandatory ineligibility

period. The board may then reinstate the person's license if the board finds that the

person is rehabilitated and of good professional repute.