CHAPTER 427
FORMERLY
HOUSE BILL NO. 13
AS AMENDED BY
HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 2
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO LOBBYISTS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:
Section 1. Amend Chapter 58, Title 29 of the Delaware Code by making insertions as shown by underlining and deletions as shown by strike through as follows:
§ 5837. Lobbying restrictions for a former member of the General Assembly.
No person who served as a member of the General Assembly shall act as a lobbyist for compensation for a period of one (1) year from the time such person is no longer serving in office. Any person who knowingly violates this section shall be guilty of an unclassified misdemeanor.
§ 5837 5838. When registration, report or authorization is considered as filed; access to records.
(a) Any registration, report or authorization form shall be considered filed as of the date it is filed electronically with the Commission or, if electronic filing required by this subchapter is unavailable at the time filing is required, on the date it is mailed if sent by registered or certified mail.
(b) Any person who knowingly furnishes false information in any registration, authorization or report required by this subchapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
(c) Any person who fails to file an authorization or report as required by this subchapter shall be deemed to have voluntarily cancelled registration as a lobbyist and shall be prohibited from reregistering or acting as a lobbyist until all delinquent authorizations and/or reports have been filed.
(d) The Commission may refer to the Commission Counsel for investigation and/or refer any suspected violation of this subchapter to the Attorney General for investigation and prosecution. The Speaker of the House, the presiding officer of the Senate, the Legislative Council or any member of the General Assembly shall refer, or any other person may refer, any suspected violation of this subchapter to the Commission and/or the Attorney General of the State.
(e) The Superior Court shall have exclusive jurisdiction over all offenses under this subchapter.
§ 5838 5839. Violation and penalties.
(a) Any person who knowingly fails to register as a lobbyist as required by this subchapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
(b) Any person who knowingly furnishes false information in any registration, authorization or report required by this subchapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
(c) Any person who fails to file an authorization or report as required by this subchapter shall be deemed to have voluntarily cancelled registration as a lobbyist and shall be prohibited from reregistering or acting as a lobbyist until all delinquent authorizations and/or reports have been filed.
(d) The Commission may refer to the Commission Counsel for investigation and/or refer any suspected violation of this subchapter to the Attorney General for investigation and prosecution. The Speaker of the House, the presiding officer of the Senate, the Legislative Council or any member of the General Assembly shall refer, or any other person may refer, any suspected violation of this subchapter to the Commission and/or the Attorney General of the State.
(e) The Superior Court shall have exclusive jurisdiction over all offenses under this subchapter.
Section 2. This bill shall take effect on January 1, 2017.
Approved September 04, 2014