102418 KSEO, ETH 2018-06

• Case Date: October 24, 2018
• Court: Kansas

ETH 2018-06 Opinion No. 2018-06 Kansas Ethics Opinion October 24, 2018          Synopsis: Under K.S.A. 46-295, a registered lobbyist must report receipt of public funds for lobbying services and services directly related to lobbying. Public funds received by registered lobbyists for other services not related to lobbying, even if received under the same contract, are not reportable.          Cited herein: K.S.A. 46-225, 46-295.          TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS:          Pursuant to K.S.A. 46-254, the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission issues this opinion regarding the receipt of public funds by registered lobbyists for lobbying services on behalf of a governmental entity or association of governmental entities.          ISSUE          When reporting receipt of public funds for services provided to governmental entities pursuant to K.S.A. 46-295, does a registered lobbyist report the total received for all services provided or only the portion received for lobbying?          ANALYSIS AND OPINION          Interpretation of this requirement depends upon whether a person, who meets the definition of a registered lobbyist, is contracted for multiple roles with a public entity. A lobbyist contracted solely for lobbying should report the entire amount of the contract, even if they do not expend that amount to lobby—the K.S.A. 46-295 reporting requirement is about the amount received by...