This mailing summarizes Missouri's new requirements for certain federal PACs and Maine's new requirement that lobbyists attend in-person anti-harassment training.

Missouri Campaign Finance

The Missouri Ethics Commission (Commission) recently promulgated emergency rules that, among other things, require federal PACs participating in Missouri elections to register, report and comply with requirements similar to those applicable to state PACs. Historically, the Commission has not required federal PACs to register in the state or comply with such requirements.

Effective August 8, 2018, a federal PAC must register in Missouri if:

1. it contributes and spends more than $1,500 in total to support or oppose candidates or ballot measures in the state in a calendar year; or
2. more than 20 percent of its total receipts in the prior 12 months were received from persons domiciled in Missouri.

The PAC must register at least 60 days before the election to which it contributes.

Registering as a state PAC in Missouri subjects a federal PAC to a number of burdensome requirements. The PAC must have Missouri residents as treasurer and deputy treasurer (if it has a deputy treasurer). It must also have an in-state bank account as its sole depository. We have been informally advised by the Commission that all federal PAC operations must be run out of that in-state account.

Many federal PACs will not be able to satisfy the above requirements. However, one may establish a separate state PAC and fund it with transfers from the federal PAC. Indeed, the federal PAC may make unlimited transfers to such state PAC without the federal PAC triggering registration in the state. Nonetheless, a federal PAC that contributes to a Missouri state PAC must file an initial report with the Commission at least 14 days before making a contribution to the state PAC, and thereafter must file reports on out-of-state committee forms. The federal PAC may not make such transfers to a state PAC within the 29-day period before an election. Please note that Missouri state law also prohibits the state PAC from making contributions to other state PACs. However, this ban has been enjoined by the courts and is pending appeal in the 8th Circuit.

Maine Lobbying

On July 4, 2018, the Maine Legislature enacted S.P. 695 – L.D. 1842. The law requires lobbyists to attend and complete a course of in-person training regarding harassment, including sexual harassment, at the beginning of each regular session of the Legislature. Lobbyists must certify that they have completed the training at the time of registration and must retain proof of completion for two years following the training. The Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices may provide a limited extension to lobbyists who cannot complete the training prior to registration due to circumstances beyond their control and may exempt lobbyists with a very limited physical presence in the State House and the Burton M. Cross Building. However, the law does not describe how to obtain such an extension or exemption.

It is worth noting that a person need only register as a Maine lobbyist if he or she attempts to influence legislative and executive officials regarding legislative action. No registration, and thus no training, is required for attempts to influence regulatory or procurement matters.

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