Lobbyists in Arkansas

Almost everyone is familiar with the term "lobbyist" and have a general idea of what that term means. To many it means someone who advocates for a special interest such as a corporation, school, or other government entity. There are some organizations such as the Municipal League and the Association of Arkansas Counties whose mission is to lobby and work for the best interest of the governments of cities and counties, even when those conflict with the best interest of taxpayers.

While the term lobbyist is almost exclusively used in a negative connotation, lobbyists still seem to run things in Arkansas. Many Arkansas lobbyists have affiliated Political Action Committees or others lined up who will donate campaign money to insure votes in favor of the lobbyists.

But how is a lobbyist defined? When does someone have to register as a lobbyist? What must they disclose? What are they prohibited from doing?

This quiz highlights lobbyists in Arkansas and the requirements surrounding registered lobbyists.

Question Title

* 1. Which of the following would qualify a person as a lobbyist and require them to register with the Arkansas Ethics Commission?

Receives income or reimbursement in a combined amount of $400 or more in a calendar quarter for lobbying activities;

Expends $400 per or more in a calendar quarter for lobbying activities;

Expends $400 or more in a calendar quarter, including postage, for the express purpose of soliciting others to communicate with any public servant to influence any legislation action or administration action of one or more governmental bodies;

Any of the Above

None of the Above

Question Title

* 2. What must a person disclose when they register as a lobbyist?

The name, address, and telephone number of a lobbyist

The types of public servants being lobbied

The name, address, and telephone number of the lobbyists clients or employer

The type of business/entity which is the lobbyists client or employer

All the above

None of the above

Question Title

* 3. What is the penalty for a person if they fail to register as a lobbyist as required?

A fine of not less than $50 and not more than $2000

A term of imprisonment of between 3 to 6 months

No penalty

Question Title

* 4. Does a person have to register as a lobbyists if they are employed by a government entity and lobby on behalf of that entity, such as a school or state agency?

No, generally government lobbyists do not have to register as a lobbyist and are not considered lobbyists.

Yes, government lobbyists are treated the same as private citizens who are lobbyists.

Question Title

* 5. May a registered lobbyist give legislators a gift, including a advance/loan?

No, lobbyists are prohibited from giving gifts to legislators, including advances/loans. However, there are 14 exceptions to what a gift is defined as.

Yes, lobbyists may give unlimited gifts, including loans, to legislators.

Question Title

* 6. What is the penalty if it is discovered a lobbyist gave a gift to a legislator?

Effectively none, as the legislator has 30 days from being caught to either return the gift or pay the value of the gift back to the lobbyist.

The legislator may no longer serve in office.

Question Title

* 7. What must a lobbyist disclose under periodic lobbyist activity reports?

Expenditures of their clients for lobbying activities, such as food lodging, and travel

Special Events including the cost and those government bodies/group of public servants who were invited to the special event

Any gifts or loans to legislators

All the above

None of the above

Question Title

* 8. Are all the lobbyist registrations and reports publicly available?

Yes, through the Arkansas Secretary of State's website

No, only the Governor and legislators appointed by the Speaker and President Pro Tem may view the reports

Question Title

* 9. How many registered lobbyists/lobbyist firms are there in Arkansas for 2018?

129

311

Question Title

* 10. May lobbyists have special events such as dinners, breakfasts, and lunches for legislators?

Yes, if they invite the entire legislative body or a full committee. However, legislators are still able to pocket their per diem checks for food while getting free meals from lobbyists.

Lobbyists in Arkansas

Question Title

* 1. Which of the following would qualify a person as a lobbyist and require them to register with the Arkansas Ethics Commission?

Question Title

* 2. What must a person disclose when they register as a lobbyist?

Question Title

* 3. What is the penalty for a person if they fail to register as a lobbyist as required?

Question Title

* 4. Does a person have to register as a lobbyists if they are employed by a government entity and lobby on behalf of that entity, such as a school or state agency?

Question Title

* 5. May a registered lobbyist give legislators a gift, including a advance/loan?

Question Title

* 6. What is the penalty if it is discovered a lobbyist gave a gift to a legislator?

Question Title

* 7. What must a lobbyist disclose under periodic lobbyist activity reports?

Question Title

* 8. Are all the lobbyist registrations and reports publicly available?

Question Title

* 9. How many registered lobbyists/lobbyist firms are there in Arkansas for 2018?

Question Title

* 10. May lobbyists have special events such as dinners, breakfasts, and lunches for legislators?

Question Title

* 11. If you have not already subscribed to receive Conduit for Action emails you can subscribe by entering your email address here.

Question Title

* 12. In what town do you live?