Commissioner Murman quoted in this Tampa Tribune article on lobbyist ordinance:

POLITICS

Hillsborough commissioners OK measure to require lobbyists’ fees

By Mike Salinero | Tribune Staff

Published: January 21, 2016

Updated: January 21, 2016 at 11:32 AM

Lobbyists who try to influence Hillsborough County Commissioners must now reveal what they want to talk to commissioners about or face stiff penalties.

On a 7-0 vote, commissioners today passed an ordinance that requires lobbyists to register and pay a $50 yearly fee. Under the new law, everyone who comes to meet with commissioners must fill out a form saying who they represent, what they want to discuss and which commissioners they are visiting.

Spurred by criticism from citizen activists, the board members also increased penalties for non-compliance that were in a draft ordinance. For a first violation, the lobbyist is given a warning, followed by a $250 fine for a second violation.

But the sponsor of the amendment, Sandy Murman, made a motion to increase punishment for a third violation from a 30-day suspension to three months.

“Thirty days is way too short,” Murman said. “You can blink your eyes and 30 days will be gone.”

Commissioner Ken Hagan followed suit by moving that a 90-day suspension for a fourth violation of the ordinance be increased to a full year.

Hagan’s motion mirrored a suggestion from Charlotte Greenberg, a Lutz resident who spoke during the public hearing. Greenberg said a three-month suspension for a fourth violation was too lenient.

“The penalties are so lobbyist friendly … Three strikes and a fine and you’re out for a year,” Greenberg said.

The board also accepted an amendment by Commissioner Kevin Beckner that would require the lobbyist to bring the form he fills out to the commissioner’s office. If the listed subject of discussion changes, it’s up to the commissioner to describe the new discussion items on the form and turn it into the County Attorney’s Office.

“We would make sure the record of the meeting is complete,” Beckner said.

The amended ordinance also modifies the definition of lobbying to include communicating indirectly, such as through e-mails or text messages. The county will offer training for lobbyists in the new ethics rules in August.