QUESTION PRESENTED
Does the state prohibition on former legislators not being able to lobby state entities (legislature, governor’s office, etc.) apply to local government as well?
BACKGROUND
Prior to January 8, 2007, members of the Georgia General Assembly were, upon leaving office, allowed to immediately register as lobbyists and engage in lobbying activities. However, the Georgia General Assembly amended the Campaign Finance Act during its 2005 session to include a general prohibition which prevents all members of the General Assembly, along with other elected state level public officers, from registering as a lobbyist or engaging in lobbying activities for a period of one year from the date said public officer leaves office. See Ga. L. 2005, p. 859 § 23/HB 48. On May 2, 2016, Representative Virgil Fludd asked for a formal opinion from the Commission whether “the state prohibition on former legislators not being able to lobby state entities (legislature, governor’s office, etc.) appl[ies] to local government as well.”