The proposed amendments to Chapter 34-12 amend the Executive Branch Lobbyist Registration form (CE Form 20) and the Executive Branch Lobbyist Renewal form (CE Form 20-R). Both forms are adopted by reference in Chapter 34-12, F.A.C. Additionally, ...

 

COMMISSION ON ETHICS

RULE NO.: RULE TITLE:
34-12.200: Registration Requirements
34-12.300: Registration Forms
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The proposed amendments to Chapter 34-12 amend the Executive Branch Lobbyist Registration form (CE Form 20) and the Executive Branch Lobbyist Renewal form (CE Form 20-R). Both forms are adopted by reference in Chapter 34-12, F.A.C. Additionally, the most recent version of the North American Industry Classification System (2012 NAICS) is adopted by reference.
SUMMARY: It has been requested by lobbyists that the lobbying firm compensation report (CE Form 24) be automatically "repopulated" with the principal's telephone number so that the lobbying firm will not have to enter it manually each quarter when the CE Form 24 is filed. The best way to “capture” this data electronically is to create a field for it on the registration form and the annual renewal form. Therefore, this proposed amendment will revise the CE Form 20 and the CE Form 20-R to include a space to enter a telephone number for each principal. Also, the most recent version of the North American Industry Classification System—the 2012 NAICS—is adopted by reference.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:
The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the agency.
The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: Although nominal, the agency has determined that this rule could have a favorable impact on small businesses inasmuch as most lobbying firms are "small businesses," and the person who completes and files a lobbying firm's quarterly compensation report will no longer have to re-enter each principal's telephone number on the CE Form 24 when it is filed each quarter. Instead, by providing the information once, at initial registration or upon renewal, the compensation report will automatically repopulate with the phone numbers provided by the lobbyist at the time of registration.
Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 112.3215, 112.322(9) FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 112.3215 FS.
A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:
DATE AND TIME: November 30, 2012, 8:30 a.m..
PLACE: Senate Office Building, Room 37S, 404 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL
Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 3 days before the workshop/meeting by contacting: Millie Fulford, Legal Secretary, Florida Commission on Ethics, Telephone: [phone]. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Julia Cobb Costas, Assistant General Counsel, Florida Commission on Ethics, Telephone: [phone]

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

34-12.200  Lobbyist Registration Requirements.

(1)  A person who is a “lobbyist” as defined in Section 112.3215(1)(h), F.S., and this rule chapter may not lobby an agency until he or she has registered as a lobbyist with the Commission. Registration shall be made on CE Form 20, Executive Branch Lobbyist Registration, which requires the registrant to disclose, under oath, the following:

(a)  No change.

(b)  Name, and business address, and telephone number of each principal represented by the registrant;

(c) through (f)  No change. 

(2)  No change. 

(3)  The registrant shall include a separate statement signed by the principal or the principal’s representative that the registrant is authorized to represent the principal.  On this statement, the principal will also identify and designate its main business using the 6-digit NAICS code published in the North American Industry Classification System–United States, 2012 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Classification system information can be obtained by contacting the NAICS Association, 129 Lakeshore Drive, Rockaway, NJ 07866, or by visiting its website: www.naics.com.

(4) through (6)  No change.

(7)  CE Form 20, Executive Branch Lobbyist Registration, Effective 1/2013 8/2010. To be utilized by lobbyists to register as an Executive Branch lobbyist. This form and instructions may be obtained without cost from the Lobbyist Registration Office, 111 West Madison Street, Room G-68, Tallahassee, Florida 32399, Telephone [phone], or downloaded at: www.leg.state.fl.us/Lobbyist.

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE JANUARY 1, 2013.

Rulemaking Authority 112.3215, 112.322(9) FS. Law Implemented 112.3215 FS. History–New 10-12-89, Amended 12-6-92, 6-15-06, 8-18-10, 8-18-10, 1-1-13.

 

34-12.330  Annual Renewals.

(1)  No change.

(2)  CE Form 20-R, Executive Branch Lobbyist Renewal, effective 1/2013 6/2006. To be utilized by lobbyists to renew their annual registration as an Executive Branch lobbyist. The form is generated by the Lobbyist Registration Office and mailed to registered lobbyists prior to January 1 of each year. Examples of the form may be obtained without cost from the Lobbyist Registration Office, 111 West Madison Street, Room G-68, Tallahassee, Florida  32399, Telephone [phone].

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE JANUARY 1, 2013.

Rulemaking Authority 112.3215, 112.322(9) FS. Law Implemented 112.3215 FS. History–New 10-12-89, Amended 10-6-91, 7-5-92, 12-6-92, 1-1-97, 11-24-97, 1-1-02, 6-15-06, 8-18-10, 1-1-13 .

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Julia Cobb Costas, Assistant General Counsel, Florida Commission on Ethics
NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Virlindia Doss, Executive Director
DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: October 15, 2012
DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: October 10, 2012