January 2021

2020 was a unique year with the global pandemic and presidential election. As we start to see the ramifications, we need to understand where we were and where we are going in Arizona politics. This affects everyone, especially those who own a business, medical practice, or are a member of an association. 

 

Tom Dorn, President of Dorn Policy Group, recently spoke about the 2021 Legislative Session and what is in store that impacts the healthcare industry. 

 

LISTEN NOW

 

 

 

To give you a brief recap:

 

Election Results

  • The House stayed Republican, despite all the efforts and money the Democrats put into campaigning.
  • The Senate remained in Republican control, despite the Democrats picking up one seat.

 

Potential Issues

  • With regulations like masks and limiting the number of people together, how are we going to operate at the Capitol? This brings up constitutional issues because the public is potentially being prevented from participating in the legislative process.

 

The Future of Arizona’s Economy

  • The state of Arizona is in a good financial place. Arizona did not ask for a bailout from the Federal Government as a result of Governor Ducey’s rainy day fund.
  • The growth in Arizona’s economy will fund the government and grow infrastructure for the healthcare industry. It opens new opportunities for healthcare providers to open medical practices here. 

 

How to Make A Difference 

  • To let your voice be heard, partner up with associations or organizations in your industry that have already established credibility. For example, if you are in the medical field looking to bring an issue to the Legislature, partnering with the Maricopa County Medical Society gives you a feasible chance. 

 

When Does the Legislative Session End in Arizona?

  • Right now, we don’t know! Arizona may opt to have a shortened Session like in 2020, where all that is discussed are the necessary items, which means the Legislature could adjourn as early as February or March. 

 

Partner with a Premiere Arizona Lobbying Firm

At Dorn Policy Group, we want your voice to be heard. While the government players propose bills to become a law, shouldn’t you have a say as well?

 

We can help you shape the future of your organization. Partner with us today!

 

Register as a lobbyist

Before participating in any lobbying activities, advocates should review the rules for the state or local government in which they operate in.  Under certain circumstances, advocates for an issue, cause, or organization may not need to register. The qualifications for registering as a lobbyist often depend on the statutory definition of the occupation in each state. The information a registering lobbyist must provide also varies from state to state.

 

What Are the Requirements to Register As a Lobbyist?

In order to meet the required threshold to register as a lobbyist, all of the following criteria must be met, according to Section 4 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act.

 

Monetary Threshold

  • Lobbying firms must file a registration for each client whose lobbying activities exceed $3,000 during a quarter
  • Organizations who use in-house lobbyists must file a single registration if the total expenses for these lobbying activities exceed $13,000 during a quarter

 

Time Threshold

If lobbying activities constitute at least 20% of an individual’s time, then this meets the time threshold to register. 

 

According to the 2 U.S.C. § 1602(7), lobbying activities are defined as “Lobbying contacts and efforts in support of such contacts, including preparation and planning activities, research, and other background work that is intended, at the time it is performed, for use in contacts, and coordination with the lobbying activities of others.”

 

More Than One Lobbying Contact

Lobbyists who have made more than one lobbying contact meet the requirement to register. This means any lobbyists who have made contact with a covered official more than once. This does not mean the number of covered officials they’ve made contact with, but rather the exchanges and forms of communications that have been made between lobbyists and officials.

 

Lobbying contact is defined by the 2 U.S.C. § 1602(7) as “Any oral or written communication (including an electronic communication) to a covered executive branch official or a covered legislative branch official that is made on behalf of a client with regard to:”

  • The formulation, modification, or adoption of federal legislation (including legislative proposals).
  • The formulation, modification, or adoption of a Federal rule, regulation, executive order, or any other program, policy, or position of the United States Government.
  • The administration or execution of a federal program or policy (including the negotiation, award, or administration of a Federal contract, grant, loan, permit, or license).
  • The nomination or confirmation of a person for a position subject to confirmation by the Senate.

 

When Do Lobbyists Need to Register?

Lobbyists should register within 45 days of meeting all required criteria under the Lobbyists Disclosure Act. Preferably, registrations should be filed once services are retained and lobbyists expect the following:

  • To make more than one lobbying contact.
  • Lobbying activities to account for more than 20% of their time working for the client.
  • Expenses to surpass the monetary threshold of $3,000 for lobbying firms and $13,000 for in-house lobbying services.

 

Disclosure of Foreign Entities

Additionally, each registration must disclose information from any foreign entity that holds at least 20% equitable ownership in the client or any affiliate of the client that is required to be reported. Furthermore, any foreign identity that directly or indirectly plans, supervises, controls, directs, finances, or subsidizes the activities of the client or affiliate of the client must also be reported by providing the following information:

  • Name of foreign entity
  • Address
  • Principal place of business
  • Any amount greater than $5,000 contributing to lobbying activities

 

Lobbying in Arizona

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Arizona defines lobbying as the following:

  • A means to attempt to influence the passage or defeat of any legislation by directly communicating with any legislator or attempting to influence any formal rulemaking proceeding pursuant to Chapter 6 of this title or rulemaking proceedings that are exempt from Chapter 6 of this title by directly communicating with any state officer or employee.
  • A person who is otherwise required to be registered as a lobbyist for compensation pursuant to this article attempting to influence the procurement of materials, services or construction by an agency, including the Office of the Governor.

 

Information Needed to Register

Registrations filed in the State of Arizona must contain the following information for each entity.

 

Principals

  • Name and business address of the principal. 
  • Name and business address of a person who is the designated lobbyist for the principal, regardless of whether such person is engaged to lobby for compensation. 
  • Name and business address of each lobbyist for compensation or authorized lobbyist employed by, retained by, or representing the principal. 
  • For each lobbyist for compensation, designated lobbyist or authorized lobbyist that is not an individual, the name and business address of all employees of that lobbyist who lobby on the principal’s behalf.
  • Nature of the primary business or activity, issue, interest, or purpose of the principal. 
  • Duration of the engagement of any lobbyist. 
  • Description of the expenses for which each lobbyist is to be reimbursed by the principal. 
  • Listings of the state entities the lobbyist has been engaged or designated to lobby including the legislature and state agencies, boards, commissions, or councils.

 

Public Bodies

  • Name and business address of the public body. 
  • Name and business address of a person who is the designated public lobbyist for the public body, regardless of whether this person is engaged to lobby for compensation. 
  • Name and business address of each authorized public lobbyist employed by, retained by, or representing the public body. 
  • For each designated public lobbyist or authorized public lobbyist that is not an individual, the name and business address of all employees of such. designated public lobbyist or authorized public lobbyist who may lobby on the public body’s behalf. 
  • Description of the expenses for which each designated public lobbyist and authorized public lobbyist is to be reimbursed by the public body.

 

Lobbyists

  • Name of the lobbyist for compensation, designated lobbyist, or designated public lobbyist. 
  • Business name and address of the lobbyist for compensation, designated lobbyist, or designated public lobbyist. 
  • Statement that the lobbyist for compensation, designated lobbyist, or designated public lobbyist has read the lobbyist handbook.

 

Dorn Policy Will Advocate For You

As a leading Arizona-based professional lobbying and public affairs firm, Dorn Policy Group works with all levels of government including Federal, State, County, Municipal, District, and Tribes. Working with both Republicans and Democrats, as well as Independents, the Dorn Policy Group will provide you with the best strategic counsel to advance and reach your objectives. 

 

Contact us today to get started!

Environmental Lobbying

Environmental lobbying is a key issue for both policymakers and companies, with over $13 million being spent in 2020 alone. Environmental policy impacts many different sectors, so it is important to take note of what each industry is lobbying for and against. More recently, lobbyists have advocated on behalf of many industries that have been affected by COVID-19, while keeping in mind the company’s best interest.

 

Industries Taking Part in Environmental Lobbying

Oil and Gas 

Oil and gas companies have usually advocated against policies such as regulations on fracking, as they did in 2018 when Prop 112 was put to a vote in Colorado. In that same year, a carbon tax failed to pass in Washington after oil and gas companies, most notably BP, lobbied against such legislation. 

Other policies that the oil and gas industry has lobbied against include Senate bill 421, which aimed to put new regulations on oil pipelines. The Measure G Bill, which looked to ban new fracking and conventional oil and gas wells in California, also failed due to extensive lobbying.

On the other hand, major oil companies, including BP and ExxonMobil, have also lobbied in support of reducing emissions by investing in carbon capture with the introduction of the USE IT Act. Both Exxon and Shell have advocated in favor of a carbon tax, which is backed by others in the industry. 

Automotive 

The automobile industry is another industry that has taken opposite stances when it comes to environmental lobbying. With Fiat Chrysler, Ford, Daimler, BMW, Toyota, and General Motors among the strongest opponents to regulate and reduce emissions.

Additionally, General Motors, Ford, and Fiat Chrysler have also opposed the CAFE standards set by Congress, which regulates how far a vehicle should travel on one gallon of gas. 

In Europe, there has been constant opposition from the European Automobile Manufacture’s Association (ACEA) and the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) for new CO2 emissions standards in 2021. The ACEA also successfully lobbied against an EU mandate on electric car sales. 

 

Notable Topics

The following are some of the most notable topics lobbied by key groups regarding environmental policies.

Roll Back on U.S. Methane Regulations 

American Petroleum Institute – U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Repeal and Replacement of the U.S. Clean Power Plan

American Petroleum Institute – U.S. Chamber of Commerce – American Legislative Exchange Council – National Association of Manufacturers – National Mining Association – American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers

U.S. Automotive Emissions RollBack

Auto Alliance – American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers

Paris Agreement Withdrawal by the U.S.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce – American Legislative Exchange Council – National Association of Manufacturers – National Mining Association

Accelerated On/Offshore Oil & Gas Development

American Petroleum Institute – U.S. Chamber of Commerce – American Legislative Exchange Council – National Association of Manufacturers – American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers

 

Dorn Policy Will Advocate For You

As a leading Arizona-based professional lobbying and public affairs firm, Dorn Policy Group works with all levels of government including Federal, State, County, Municipal, District, and Tribes. Working with both Republicans and Democrats as well as Independents, Dorn Policy Group will provide you with the best strategic counsel to advance and reach your objectives. 

 

Contact us today to get started!

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