Bill Text: PA SB655 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Further providing for political influence restriction.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2009-04-21 - Re-committed to COMMUNITY, ECONOMIC AND RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT [SB655 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2009-SB655-Introduced.html

---

PRINTER'S NO. 719
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 655 Session of2009
INTRODUCED BY LOGAN, TARTAGLIONE, ORIE, BOSCOLA, FONTANA, FARNESE, ERICKSON, ALLOWAY, RAFFERTY, KASUNIC, WAUGH, WONDERLING, MUSTO, BROWNE, EARLL AND FERLO, MARCH 20, 2009
REFERRED TO COMMUNITY, ECONOMIC AND RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, MARCH 20, 2009
AN ACT
Amending Title 4 (Amusements) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes, further providing for political influence
restriction.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 1513(a) and (d) of Title 4 of the
Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes are amended to read:
§ 1513. Political influence.
(a) Contribution restriction.--The following persons shall
be prohibited from contributing any money or in-kind
contribution to a candidate for nomination or election to any
public office in this Commonwealth, or to any political party
committee or other political committee in this Commonwealth or
to any group, committee or association organized in support of a
candidate, political party committee or other political
committee in this Commonwealth:
(1) An applicant for a slot machine license,
manufacturer license, supplier license, principal license,
key employee license or horse or harness racing license.
(2) A slot machine licensee, licensed manufacturer,
licensed supplier or licensed racing entity.
(3) A licensed principal or licensed key employee of a
slot machine licensee, licensed manufacturer, licensed
supplier or licensed racing entity.
(4) An affiliate, intermediary, subsidiary or holding
company of a slot machine licensee, licensed manufacturer,
licensed supplier or licensed racing entity.
(5) A licensed principal or licensed key employee of an
affiliate, intermediary, subsidiary or holding company of a
slot machine licensee, licensed manufacturer, licensed
supplier or licensed racing entity.
(6) A person who holds a similar gaming license in
another jurisdiction and the affiliates, intermediaries,
subsidiaries, holding companies, principals or key employees
thereof.
(7) A lobbyist.
* * *
(d) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following
words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
subsection:
"Administrative action." Any of the following:
(1) An agency's:
(i) proposal, consideration, promulgation or
rescission of a regulation;
(ii) development or modification of a guideline or a
statement of policy; or
(iii) approval or rejection of a regulation.
20090SB0655PN0719 - 2 -
(2) The review, revision, approval or disapproval of a
regulation under the act of June 25, 1982 (P.L.633, No.181),
known as the Regulatory Review Act.
(3) The nomination or appointment of an individual as an
officer or employee of the Commonwealth.
(4) The proposal, consideration, promulgation or
rescission of an executive order.
"Contribution." Any payment, gift, subscription, assessment,
contract, payment for services, dues, loan, forbearance, advance
or deposit of money or any valuable thing made to a candidate or
political committee for the purpose of influencing any election
in this Commonwealth or for paying debts incurred by or for a
candidate or committee before or after any election. The term
shall include the purchase of tickets for events including
dinners, luncheons, rallies and other fundraising events; the
granting of discounts or rebates not available to the general
public; or the granting of discounts or rebates by television
and radio stations and newspapers not extended on an equal basis
to all candidates for the same office; and any payments provided
for the benefit of any candidate, including payments for the
services of a person serving as an agent of a candidate or
committee by a person other than the candidate or committee or
person whose expenditures the candidate or committee must
report. The term also includes any receipt or use of anything of
value received by a political committee from another political
committee and also includes any return on investments by a
political committee.
"Direct communication." An effort, whether written, oral or
by any other medium, made by a lobbyist or principal, directed
to a State official or employee, the purpose or foreseeable
20090SB0655PN0719 - 3 -
effect of which is to influence legislative action or
administrative action.
"Indirect communication." An effort, whether written, oral
or by any other medium, to encourage others, including the
general public, to take action, the purpose or foreseeable
effect of which is to directly influence legislative action or
administrative action. The term includes letter-writing
campaigns, mailings, telephone banks, print and electronic media
advertising, billboards, publications and educational campaigns
on public issues. The term does not include regularly published
periodic newsletters primarily designed for and distributed to
members of a bona fide association or charitable or fraternal
nonprofit corporation.
"Legislation." Bills, resolutions, amendments and
nominations pending or proposed in either the Senate or the
House of Representatives. The term includes any other matter
which may become the subject of action by either chamber of the
General Assembly.
"Legislative action." An action taken by a State official or
employee involving the preparation, research, drafting,
introduction, consideration, modification, amendment, approval,
passage, enactment, tabling, postponement, defeat or rejection
of legislation; legislative motions; overriding or sustaining a
veto by the Governor; or confirmation of appointments by the
Governor or of appointments to public boards or commissions by a
member of the General Assembly.
"Lobbying." An effort to influence legislative action or
administrative action. The term includes:
(1) Providing any gift, entertainment, meal,
transportation or lodging to an individual elected or
20090SB0655PN0719 - 4 -
appointed to a position in State government or employed by
State government, whether compensated or uncompensated, who
is involved in legislative action or administrative action
for the purpose of advancing the interest of an applicant or
licensed entity.
(2) Direct or indirect communication.
"Lobbyist." Any person, firm, association, corporation,
partnership, business trust or business entity that engages in
lobbying on behalf of an applicant or licensed entity for
economic consideration.
"Political committee." Any committee, club, association or
other group of persons which receives contributions or makes
expenditures.
"Regulation." Any rule, regulation or order in the nature of
a rule or regulation, including formal and informal opinions of
the Attorney General, of general application and future effect,
promulgated by an agency under statutory authority in the
administration of a statute administered by or relating to the
agency or prescribing the practice or procedure before the
agency.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
20090SB0655PN0719 - 5 -