HLS 11RS-935 ORIGINAL
Page 1 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Regular Session, 2011
HOUSE BILL NO. 453
BY REPRESENTATIVE HINES
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
ETHICS: Restricts certain persons from giving food, drink, or other refreshments to
legislators during any legislative session
AN ACT1
To enact R.S. 42:1115.2, relative to the Code of Governmental Ethics; to prohibit any2
legislator or a statewide elected official from receiving any food, drink, or3
refreshment from a lobbyist or person employing a lobbyist during any session of the4
legislature; to provide definitions; to provide a short title for the Act; and to provide5
for related matters.6
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:7
Section 1. This Act shall be known as the "Louisiana No Cup of Coffee Lobbyist8
Reform Act".9
Section 2. R.S. 42:1115.2 is hereby enacted to read as follows: 10
ยง1115.2. Restrictions during legislative sessions11
Notwithstanding any provision of this Chapter to the contrary, no legislator12
or statewide elected official may receive any food, drink, or refreshment from a13
lobbyist or a person employing a lobbyist during any session of the legislature. The14
term "lobbyist" as used in this Section shall have the same meaning as in R.S. 24:51.15 HLS 11RS-935 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 453
Page 2 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Hines HB No. 453
Abstract: Prohibits a legislator or statewide elected official from accepting food, drink, or
refreshment from a lobbyist or person employing a lobbyist during any session of the
legislature.
Present law (R.S. 42:1102(22)(a)) provides that food, drink, or refreshments consumed by
a public servant while the personal guest of some person is not a "thing of economic value"
under the Code of Governmental Ethics.
Present law (R.S. 42:1115.1) provides a monetary limitation on how much a person can
spend on a public servant for food, drink, and refreshment while the public servant is his
personal guest.
Proposed law retains present law. Proposed law further prohibits any legislator or statewide
elected official from receiving any food, drink, or refreshment from a lobbyist or a person
employing a lobbyist during any session of the legislature.
Proposed law defines "lobbyist" as it is defined in present law (R.S. 24:51(5)):
(1) Any person who is employed or engaged for compensation to act in a representative
capacity for the purpose of lobbying if lobbying constitutes one of the principal
duties of such employment or engagement.
(2) Any person who acts in a representative capacity and makes an expenditure.
Present law and proposed law provide that the term "lobbyist" shall not mean any person
who does not make any direct act or have any direct communication with a legislator for the
purpose of influencing the passage or defeat of any legislation.
(Adds R.S. 42:1115.2)