HB2377

THE CONTEXT: A public officer includes all elected and appointed officers of a public agency established by charter, ordinance, resolution, state constitution or statute ( A. R.

WHAT THE BILL DID: Prohibits a public officer from engaging in lobbying and exempts a public officer engaging in lobbying when acting in their official capacity from the prohibition.

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to set a clear legal boundary for public officers instead of leaving the conduct unaddressed. It would prohibit a public officer from engaging in lobbying, except when acting in the public officer's official capacity, and would also define public officer as an elected officer of a public agency established by charter, ordinance, resolution, state constitution or statute, rather than leave the current rule unchanged.