IDAHO LEGISLATIVE ADVISORS

ILA MEMBER

STANDARD ACKNOWLEDEMENTS

COMPLIANCE:  A LOBBYING OR GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS CLIENT SHOULD ALWAYS BE IN FULL COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE LAWS AND REGULATIONS.

I believe that as a member of the Idaho Legislative Advisors, I:

Should comply with all federal and state laws, regulations and local ordinances that apply to lobbying and related government affairs activities.

Should never cause or encourage any public official, policymaker or other person to violate any law or rule applicable to them.

Should not facilitate or otherwise participate in an apparent violation.

Should not bring discredit to the profession, to government or to colleagues by my conduct.

Should always conduct myself and the representation of my clients or employer to protect them from any scandal or violation.

INTEGRITY:  WE KNOW THAT INTEGRITY IS A LOBBYIST’S MOST IMPORTANT PRODUCT, AND NOT TO BE COMPROMISED, NOR SUBJECT TO CONFLICTS.

As an Idaho Legislative Advisor, I:

Should strive to maintain professional relationships based upon honesty and integrity.

Should not undertake or continue representations that create, or are likely to create, conflicts of interest in the absence of the knowledgeable consent of the clients involved.

Should not advocate on behalf of one client if I also represent another client with an adverse position without the consent of both clients.

Should affirmatively, fully and timely disclose a potential conflict to a client and resolve it in a manner that is clearly understood and acceptable to the client, or otherwise withdraw from the conflicting representation.

CREDIBILITY:  WE CONSIDER TRUSTWORTHINESS AND CREDIBILITY OUR MOST IMPORTANT GOALS, AND HONEST AND ACCURATE INFORMATION OUR MOST IMPORTANT TOOLS.

As an Idaho Legislative Advisor, I:

Should provide accurate, current and factual information, whether it is being reported to my employer or client, government officials, the media or professional colleagues.

Should not engage in any misrepresentations of any kind.

Should accurately represent my client’s or employer’s positions and policies.

Should promptly correct any inaccurate information provided or submissions later determined to be in need of correction, and should update information provided as necessary to keep it from being misleading to others.

GOVERNANCE:  

State registered lobbyists are governed by Idaho State Law as overseen by the Secretary of State:

In addition, all registered lobbyists at the state level are also governed by Federal Law:

Lobbying Disclosure Act, 2 U.S.S. § 1605

The following statements are examples of ILLEGAL activity as prohibited by Idaho state law and federal law:

EXAMPLE 1:  

Senator A has sponsored legislation that will advance XYZ Corp.’s interests. The bill is up for a vote next week. Lou, an XYZ lobbyist, sends the following e-mail to Senator A:

Hi, Sam!

Do you have time to discuss S.100 before the vote next week? As you know, S.100 is critical to our industry.

Lou

P.S. By the way, I am looking forward to seeing you at your fundraiser on Friday. Could you remind me again what time it begins?

EXAMPLE 2:

Lou sends the following note with a personal contribution check to Senator A:

Senator A,

Please find enclosed a check in the amount of $500 for your re-election campaign. Your leadership on Senate Bill 100 was outstanding.

Warm regards,

Lou

EXAMPLE 3::

Laura Lobbyist sends the following e-mail to Lou:

Lou,

I need your help getting Representative B on board with H.B. 100. We’ve done a lot of things to improve the relationship with him – gave to his campaign and the charity that he is involved with, as well as taken his family to the Governor's Cup. We’re starting to see some progress with him, but it’s still a work in progress. Let’s brainstorm next steps.

Thanks,

Laura

EXAMPLE 4: 

Lobbyist Laura e-mails her boss:

Boss,

I saw Senator A the other day, she made it pretty obvious she would love to go to the Governor's Gala next week but doesn’t have a ticket. I don’t want us to do any thing “illegal,” but it would be good if we could “invite” her to the gala. Ok if I give her the tickets she wants?

Laura

SUMMARY:  

Never associate a political contribution or gift with specific action, even if the gift would otherwise be acceptable.

No “thank you” notes accompanying gifts of any kind.

Avoid any suggestion that political contributions are related to official action.

Maintain a wall between personal political activities and corporate activities.