Midway through 2025, at least four states have implemented changes to their lobbying laws.
Idaho
Idaho Governor Brad Little signed HB 398 in April, which contains several notable changes, particularly for nonprofits and organizations engaged in grassroots or grasstops efforts in Idaho.
First, there is now a definition of grassroots lobbying or “indirect lobbying” in Idaho. “Indirect lobbying” is attempting to influence the opinion of the public with respect to legislation, members of the legislature, or executive officials, and encouraging the members of the public to take action with respect to such legislation or individuals, and will include, but is not limited to, attempts to influence the opinions of the public through email, text messaging, direct messaging, door-to-door solicitation, billboards, television broadcasts, radio broadcasts, online advertising, and social media messaging or solicitation.
Second, reporting of indirect lobbying expenses is now required whenever making an expenditure of $100 or more that is related to any indirect lobbying efforts within 48 hours after such expenditure is made.
Third, to ensure proper reporting and identification of the source of expenditures, any public communication made that is reportable as a lobbying expense must clearly state, "Paid for by [the name of the filing entity, lobbyist's client, or lobbyist's employer]." If the communication is made for the purpose of soliciting funds, the disclosure must also clearly state, "This is an attempt to solicit funds." There is no definition of “public communication” in the revised law.
Fourth, the reporting schedule (annual, semi-annual, and interim monthly period reports) has been replaced with monthly reports, which are due no later than 15 days after the first of the month. The first monthly reports will be due August 15, 2025.
Kentucky
Although the Executive Branch Ethics Commission voted in September 2024 to raise the registration fees for executive branch lobbyists from $500 to $750 per employer and real party in interest, the fees did not become payable until this month when Updated Registration Statements for Executive Lobbyists, Employers, and Real Parties in interest became due. This registration fee is not paid with the initial registration but is paid when the updated registration statement or termination statement is filed.
Montana
Effective October 1, 2025, Montana’s principal reporting threshold will be decreased from $5,000 to $3,000 per calendar year. This threshold will be adjusted in even-numbered years.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s new lobbying and campaign finance disclosure system, scheduled to launch on July 1, has been pushed to September. Filers will be required to create new login credentials once launched, as no filings will be accepted in the old system.
The Associations, Nonprofits and Political Organizations practice group at Whiteford has in-depth experience advising clients on federal, state, and local lobbying registration, reporting, and compliance.
