Subject:
Title
Ordinance amending Pinellas County Code Chapter 26, Article IX (Lobbying) modifying regulations related to registration of lobbyists and lobbying contacts.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Adoption of the ordinance amending Pinellas County Code modifying regulations related to registration of lobbyists and lobbying contacts.
• The ordinance will update the definition of lobbyist, standardize penalties for failure to comply with the lobbying ordinance, and streamline the process and deadlines for lobbyist registering, reregistering, filing notices of lobbying contacts, and filing annual expenditure reports.
• Ordinance changes were presented and discussed at the August 8th Work Session.
• The Board of County Commissioners may discuss providing additional exceptions to the registration requirements for lobbyists.
• More details are provided in the redline and “Summary” documents attached to the agenda item.
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Strategic Plan:
N/A
Summary:
Summary
The purpose of this revision is to make the lobbying ordinance more efficient to administer effectively, to provide clearer deadlines and requirements for lobbyists, reflect modern technology and processes, and provide more explicit and uniform penalties for violations.
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Background Information:
This issue was discussed at the August 8, 2024 BCC workshop.
The ordinance has an effective date of January 1, 2025.
If the BCC wishes to expand the list of persons excepted from having to register as a lobbyist, a list of sample options is provided in the process summary attached.
Fiscal Impact:
N/A
Staff Member Responsible:
Jewel White, County Attorney
Amanda Coffey, Managing Assistant County Attorney
Partners:
N/A
Attachments:
Lobbying Ordinance 2024
Lobbying Ordinance 2024 - Redline
Summary - Lobbying process under new ordinance with sample exceptions