Nevada lobbyists spend record amount on legislators
CARSON CITY — Nevada lobbyists spent a record $153,079 to wine, dine and court state lawmakers during the 2015 session, though most of the expenses were for group events sponsored by various organizations, records filed with the Legislative Counsel Bureau show.
The spending is up nearly 26 percent over the $121,594 reported by lobbyists for the previous session two years ago.
Lobbyists are required to report how much they spend on gifts, group events and entertainment provided to lawmakers for each month of the four-month session held every two years. The entertainment category includes cost of meals and beverages when a lobbyist picks up the tab.
The cost of group events — receptions, luncheons, dinners or other events where every legislator is invited — totaled $149,777. Individual entertainment expenses were $2,176.
Not surprisingly, a breakdown shows state Sen. Debbie Smith, D-Sparks, received the most in gratuitous gestures during the session, totaling $912.63. Smith missed the first half of the legislative session after being diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor just before the session began in early February. When she made her session debut April 8, her office and desk in the Senate chambers were overflowing with bouquets and gift baskets from well-wishers.
Coming in second was Senate Minority Leader Aaron Ford, D-Las Vegas, at $762.61. Of that, $452.84 was reported in February by Robert Eglet, a Las Vegas attorney. Ford through a staffer said the expense was for a dinner at Girabaldi's that Eglet hosted with Ford and six of seven other members of the Nevada Justice Association to discuss legislative priorities.
In the Senate, lobbyists reported spending on 15 of 21 senators. Notable of those not listed was Senate Majority Leader Michael Roberson, R-Henderson, who is seeking Nevada's 3rd Congressional District seat. The other six who received no gifts were Republican state Sens. Pete Goicoechea, Don Gustavson, Becky Harris, James Settelmeyer, and Democratic Sen. Pat Spearman.
State Sens. Patricia Farley, R-Las Vegas, and Mo Denis, D-Las Vegas, received the least in the Senate — $15 and $15.22 respectively.
Assemblyman Erven Nelson, R-Las Vegas, topped the list of recipients in the lower house. Lobbyists reported spending $517.28 on the freshman lawmaker. Of that, $188.55 was listed as an entertainment expense by Michael Vannozzi with the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance in May when the tax debate was heating up in the halls of the Legislature.
"I talked to a lot of people about taxes of course," said Nelson, one of several Republicans who in the end supported Gov. Brian Sandoval's $1.1 billion tax package.
Nelson recalled he went out to dinner with Vannozzi and an assistant, and shut down any notion food would influence his vote.
"I don't think that lobbyists buying meals would sway my vote on any particular bill," Nelson said. "I try to listen to all sides of an issue, all the lobbyists and all the stakeholders."
Lobbyists reported spending on 31 out of 42 Assembly members, with cumulative values ranging from the total for Nelson to $6.43 spent on both Assemblyman Phillip O'Neill, R-Carson City, and Assemblywoman Heidi Swank, D-Las Vegas.
Issues hard to track by spending reports
The lobbying reports, while providing a total spent by individual lobbyists, do not give a clear picture on what issues, if any, are behind the spending.
Take, for example, Uber, the ride-hailing company that fought for a bill passed by lawmakers and signed by Gov. Brian Sandoval to allow it to operate in Nevada. The company had 18 registered lobbyists. Of those, 14 represented multiple clients. But reports filed by lobbyists do not require a breakdown detailing which client is associated with expenses, so it’s impossible in most cases to pinpoint an expense to a particular issue or client.
Changes on the way
But changes are on the way for the 2017 session following passage this year of Senate Bill 307.
Sponsored by Roberson, the law that takes effect Jan. 1 prohibits lobbyists from giving and lawyers from accepting anything of value, whether or not the Legislature is in session. The prohibition extends to members of a legislator's household and staff members.
There are exemptions, though, for items such as travel, lodging and meals that are provided as part of an educational or informational meeting, event or trip. Also still permissible is the cost of a party, meal, function or social event to which every legislator is invited.
The expense of those items will still have to be reported by lobbyists. And lawmakers, candidates and public officers will have to include those items on their annual financial disclosure statements.
Regulations will likely be forthcoming to clarify other aspects of the law, such as when a lobbyist is no longer considered a lobbyist. Because the Nevada Legislature only meets every two years, lobbyists register before each regular or special session. When the session is over, they file paperwork to terminate their lobbyist status.
Contact Sandra Chereb at schereb@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3901. Find her on Twitter: @SandraChereb
