April 29, 2026 •
Arkansas Legislature Adjourns with Special Session Upcoming
The Arkansas Legislature adjourned its fiscal session sine die on April 29. Lawmakers passed the state budget and appropriations bills as well as a bill increasing the homestead property tax credit. Following the session, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced a […]
The Arkansas Legislature adjourned its fiscal session sine die on April 29. Lawmakers passed the state budget and appropriations bills as well as a bill increasing the homestead property tax credit. Following the session, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced a special session beginning during the week of May 4 for the purpose of tax cuts. This does affect lobbying reporting. The final monthly legislative lobbyist activity report for the fiscal session is due May 10 and the special session will trigger a legislative lobbyist activity report due June 10.
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April 17, 2026 •
Nebraska Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The Nebraska Legislature adjourned its regular session sine die on April 17. Lawmakers passed Legislative Bill 1075, a bill related to campaign finance and lobbying. The bill increases committee registration fees and increases late filing fees for committee registrations, registration […]
The Nebraska Legislature adjourned its regular session sine die on April 17. Lawmakers passed Legislative Bill 1075, a bill related to campaign finance and lobbying. The bill increases committee registration fees and increases late filing fees for committee registrations, registration updates, reports, and independent expenditure reports. The bill also requires ballot question committees to include in their statements of organization a certification that no preliminary activity was directly or indirectly funded by one or more foreign nationals. The bill allows committee reports disclosing certain contributors to list a post office box address for the contributor, unless the contributor is a committee, and increases late filing fees for lobbyist and principal activity reports. The bill was passed as an emergency and takes effect immediately. This does affect lobbying reporting. An activity report is due 45 days following adjournment on June 1.
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April 15, 2026 •
Wichita, Kansas Updates Ethics Code
City Council approved Ordinance 52-928, concerning amendments to the ethics code applicable to city officials. Present law allows the mayor and council members to accept complimentary food at and admission to an event or meeting hosted by a nonprofit organization, […]
City Council approved Ordinance 52-928, concerning amendments to the ethics code applicable to city officials. Present law allows the mayor and council members to accept complimentary food at and admission to an event or meeting hosted by a nonprofit organization, educational institution or service, government, political or policy-based organization, community development organization, or faith-based organization. The ordinance expands this provision to include appointed board and commission members and their relatives, and makes other updates intended to improve clarity and transparency. The ordinance takes effect April 24.
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April 13, 2026 •
Kansas Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
Kansas state of United States flag textile cloth fabric waving on the top sunrise mist fog
The Kansas Legislature adjourned its regular session sine die on April 11. Lawmakers passed the House substitute for Senate Bill 260, concerning election and campaign finance laws. Introduced in 2025 as a bill related to horse racing, the bill was […]
The Kansas Legislature adjourned its regular session sine die on April 11. Lawmakers passed the House substitute for Senate Bill 260, concerning election and campaign finance laws. Introduced in 2025 as a bill related to horse racing, the bill was substituted in March with a bill for state data collection on newborns to advertise children’s savings accounts and amended in conference committee to its final form. The bill removes the requirement to list a committee treasurer’s name in attributions in political advertisements and on communications intended to influence the vote in question-submitted elections. In addition, when a committee expenditure is made by payment to an advertising agency, public relations firm, or political consultants for disbursements to vendors, reports of expenditures are no longer required to show in detail the name of each vendor. Gov. Laura Kelly approved the bill on April 7, and it takes effect July 1.
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April 8, 2026 •
Utah Revises Lobbying and Gift Laws Under Senate Bill 145
Utah Senate Bill 145, signed by Gov. Spencer Cox on March 17, 2026, amends several provisions of the state’s lobbying laws. The changes are effective May 6, 2026, and address procurement lobbying, contingency fee restrictions, university event expenditures, and de […]
Utah Senate Bill 145, signed by Gov. Spencer Cox on March 17, 2026, amends several provisions of the state’s lobbying laws. The changes are effective May 6, 2026, and address procurement lobbying, contingency fee restrictions, university event expenditures, and de minimis gift thresholds.
What Does Utah SB 145 Change?
SB 145 touches four distinct areas of Utah lobbying compliance. Here is a breakdown of each amendment.
Procurement Lobbying Deregulated for Local and Education Entities
SB 145 removes procurement activities from the relevant lobbying definitions that apply to local government lobbying and board of education lobbying. Under the revised definitions, local and education lobbying generally covers legislative and administrative actions, but does not include adjudicative proceedings and purchasing and contracting decisions.
This change deregulates local and education procurement lobbying, reducing compliance obligations for those communicating with a public official for the purpose of influencing a purchasing and contracting decision at the local government and board of education level.
Contingency Lobbying Restrictions Extended
Prior Utah law prohibited hiring a lobbyist for compensation contingent, in whole or in part, upon a specific legislative or executive outcome. SB 145 expands these restrictions to also cover local and educational actions.
Under the updated law, incentivized lobbying is prohibited when a lobbyist’s compensation is tied to:
- A government action occurring, or
- The amount appropriated for a government program
Organizations engaging lobbyists in Utah should review existing compensation structures to confirm they remain compliant under the broadened scope. Learn more on our Lobbying Compliance Consulting page
Broader Event Exemptions for University-Sponsored Events
Expenditure reporting will no longer be required for admission, attendance, and travel to or from the following types of events, provided they are hosted by public or nonprofit higher education institutions:
- Recreational events
- Sporting events
- Artistic performances
- Art exhibitions
- Other artistic events
To qualify for the exemption, the event must occur at the institution, and the purpose of the public official’s attendance must be to build a relationship with the institution.
Previously, such attendance offers were only permitted for public colleges and universities as governmental sponsors. The revision extends the exemption to nonprofit higher education institutions as well.
De Minimis Gift Thresholds Increased
SB 145 raises the threshold for de minimis expenditures that lobbyists may make for public officials without triggering reporting requirements:
| Item Category | Previous Threshold | New Threshold |
| Nonfood items | $10 | $25 |
| Publications & commemorative items | $30 | $50 |
The adjustment reflects higher costs for such items and responds to the prior thresholds being found overly restrictive in practice.
When Do the Changes Take Effect?
All amendments under Utah SB 145 take effect May 6, 2026.
Lobbyists and their organizations should audit current practices, particularly around contingency compensation structures, to ensure compliance before that date. Lobbyists interested in making larger value expenditures should review the updates to ensure continued compliance.
For jurisdiction-specific guidance, State and Federal Communications maintains regularly updated online compliance guidebooks covering Utah and other states.
Utah Senate Bill 145 FAQs
April 8, 2026 •
Arkansas Governor Orders Special Primary
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced a vacancy in nomination for House District 44 following the death of Rep. Stan Berry on March 23. A special primary election will be held on June 2 for purposes of the November 3 general […]
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced a vacancy in nomination for House District 44 following the death of Rep. Stan Berry on March 23. A special primary election will be held on June 2 for purposes of the November 3 general election. Election dates to fill the unexpired term of office have not yet been set.
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March 18, 2026 •
Salt Lake City, Utah Contribution Limits Increased
The campaign contribution limits for city elections have been adjusted. The amount that may be contributed to mayoral candidates increased from $3,980 to $4,200 per election cycle. The amount for City Council candidates increased from $850 to $900 per election […]
The campaign contribution limits for city elections have been adjusted. The amount that may be contributed to mayoral candidates increased from $3,980 to $4,200 per election cycle. The amount for City Council candidates increased from $850 to $900 per election cycle.
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March 13, 2026 •
Austin, Texas Approves Lobbying Law Amendments
Austin City Council approved an ordinance concerning lobbyist reporting as part of its consent agenda during a meeting on March 12. The ordinance, identified as Item 2, narrows the definition of city official to exclude spouses and requires lobbyists to disclose on […]
Austin City Council approved an ordinance concerning lobbyist reporting as part of its consent agenda during a meeting on March 12. The ordinance, identified as Item 2, narrows the definition of city official to exclude spouses and requires lobbyists to disclose on their quarterly reports all direct communications with a city official regarding a municipal question. Under the ordinance, city departments and offices are no longer required to keep a record of lobbying communications during a scheduled meeting on a municipal question. The ordinance is effective March 23.
Comply with state and local procurement lobbying rules. Our online guidebooks make it easy to view regulations all in one place. Learn more here.
March 9, 2026 •
Utah Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
Utah’s legislative session adjourned sine die on March 6 after 45 days in session. Lawmakers passed Senate Bill 145, which changes definitions related to lobbying and will remove procurement activities from registration requirements for educational and local lobbying. The bill […]
Utah’s legislative session adjourned sine die on March 6 after 45 days in session. Lawmakers passed Senate Bill 145, which changes definitions related to lobbying and will remove procurement activities from registration requirements for educational and local lobbying. The bill raises limits on expenditures by lobbyists for public officials from $10 to $25 for nonfood expenditures, and to $50 for publications and commemorative items. The bill also creates exceptions to the definition of expenditure in relation to certain sporting events, performances, or exhibitions of a state institution of higher education or a private, nonprofit institution of higher education. The ban on contingency fees for legislative or executive lobbying is expanded to include all forms of lobbying. If signed by the governor, the bill will take effect May 6.
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March 4, 2026 •
Arizona Senate Advances Pay-to-Play Bill
The Senate passed a bill related to pay-to-play disclosure. Senate Bill 1186 requires companies responding to a request for proposal, applying for a grant, or under contract with a state agency to disclose having provided anything of value to the […]
The Senate passed a bill related to pay-to-play disclosure. Senate Bill 1186 requires companies responding to a request for proposal, applying for a grant, or under contract with a state agency to disclose having provided anything of value to the governor and any entity that advocates for the election of the governor or defeat of an electoral opponent of the governor within the prior five years. Last year, Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed a bill containing similar language, calling it a political stunt. This February, Hobbs unveiled a forward-looking ethics reform proposal focused on a state contractor database, a contribution cap during bid consideration, and a lobbyist gift ban. The competing visions on ethics reform come against the backdrop of lawmakers and the governor’s office trading scrutiny over past transparency.
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The U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii recently ruled that a 2024 state law (Act 191) aimed at regulating deceptive election media is unconstitutional. In the case of The Babylon Bee, LLC and Dawn O’Brien v. Anne E. […]
The U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii recently ruled that a 2024 state law (Act 191) aimed at regulating deceptive election media is unconstitutional. In the case of The Babylon Bee, LLC and Dawn O’Brien v. Anne E. Lopez, et al., the court granted a permanent injunction against the law, finding that it violated the First and Fourteenth Amendments. While the state argued the law was necessary to protect electoral integrity from AI-generated “deepfakes,” the court determined the restrictions were too broad and lacked the narrow tailoring required by the Constitution.
Understanding Act 191 and the Court’s Ruling
Act 191 was designed to prevent the reckless distribution of “materially deceptive” election media. This included any video, audio, or images created via digital technology or artificial intelligence that depicted a candidate engaging in speech or conduct that did not actually happen. The law specifically targeted content intended to harm a candidate’s reputation or influence voter behavior from February through Election Day.
The court’s decision centered on several key legal principles:
- Content and Speaker Discrimination: The court found that Act 191 discriminated based on the content of the speech and the identity of the speaker.
- Failure of Strict Scrutiny: Even though protecting elections from deceptive media is a “compelling interest,” the law failed the strict scrutiny test because it was not narrowly tailored.
- Vagueness and Overbreadth: Under the Fourteenth Amendment, the law was ruled unconstitutionally vague because it required speakers to guess at the “risk” of their content rather than following clear, objective standards.
- Compelled Speech: The requirement to include a state-mandated disclaimer was found to impermissibly alter the intended message and effect of the political speech.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the court rule against a law meant to stop deceptive AI content?
While the state has a valid interest in protecting elections, the court found that Act 191 was “substantially overbroad”. Instead of focusing solely on clearly harmful misinformation, it created a system in which creators of political satire or commentary had to assess vague risks of “harming reputation” before publishing. The court noted that less restrictive methods, such as electoral literacy campaigns or existing defamation laws, could address these concerns without infringing on free speech.
Does this ruling mean all AI-generated political content is now unregulated?
No, this specific ruling applies to the enforcement of Hawaii’s Act 191. The court suggested that the state could use speech-neutral alternatives to combat deepfakes, such as targeted counter-speech or enforcement of laws related to actual harm or defamation, rather than broad preventive restrictions.
What was the issue with the disclaimer requirement in Act 191?
The court determined that forcing a speaker to use a specific disclaimer is a form of compelled speech. In the context of political satire or parody, such a disclaimer would fundamentally change the content and the message the creator intended to convey, which is a violation of First Amendment protections.
March 3, 2026 •
Oklahoma Interim Filing System Launched for Local Committees
The Oklahoma Ethics Commission released an interim campaign finance reporting tool that allows local government campaigns and committees to upload campaign finance reports and forms while the commission integrates local government filing into the Guardian system. When full integration is […]
The Oklahoma Ethics Commission released an interim campaign finance reporting tool that allows local government campaigns and committees to upload campaign finance reports and forms while the commission integrates local government filing into the Guardian system. When full integration is complete, all local government political committees will need to register, pay any registration fees, and file all reports in the Guardian online system. The interim reporting tool is located at https://localcampaignfilings.ok.gov/filer.
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February 19, 2026 •
New Mexico Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The Second Session of the 57th Legislature adjourned sine die on February 19 at noon after 30 days in session. During the session, legislators passed bills on topics including universal childcare, medical malpractice reform, mental health commitment standards, and immigration […]
The Second Session of the 57th Legislature adjourned sine die on February 19 at noon after 30 days in session. During the session, legislators passed bills on topics including universal childcare, medical malpractice reform, mental health commitment standards, and immigration restrictions. Lawmakers failed to advance bills introduced concerning lobbyist reporting, revolving door disclosures, and state procurement amendments. This does affect lobbying reporting. The grassroots lobbying report for advertising campaigns will be due on March 6.
Comply with state and local procurement lobbying rules. Our online guidebooks make it easy to view regulations all in one place. Learn more here.
February 10, 2026 •
Arkansas Implements Hostile Foreign Influence Disclosure Law
The Arkansas Secretary of State promulgated the Combating Hostile Foreign Influence Rule to implement a 2025 state law requiring registration and disclosure by representatives of hostile foreign principals and foreign-supported political organizations. The rules expand the information that must be […]
The Arkansas Secretary of State promulgated the Combating Hostile Foreign Influence Rule to implement a 2025 state law requiring registration and disclosure by representatives of hostile foreign principals and foreign-supported political organizations. The rules expand the information that must be disclosed for foreign-supported political organizations; create a method for submitting complaints; and provide details of investigation, hearing, and enforcement procedures. The rules took effect January 18, 2026.
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State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.
