Advisory Opinion No. 1995-19
A Public Official Acting
Within The Scope Of His
Authority Is Not A Lobbyist
Within The Meaning Of
Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 1-91(1)
For purposes of the Code of Ethics for Lobbyists, Chapter 10, Part II, Connecticut General Statutes, the term “lobbyist” is generally defined to include a person who communicates with any official or his staff in the legislative branch of government for the purpose of influencing any legislative action. See Conn. Gen. Stat. §§1-91(k) and (1). Exempted from the definition of such term, however, is “[a] public official [or] employee of a branch of state government or a subdivision thereof,…who is acting within the scope of his authority or employment. See Conn. Gen. Stat. §1-91(1)(1). A Superior Court judge reporting to the General Assembly pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. §47a-73 is therefore not a lobbyist within the meaning of the Code of Ethics for Lobbyists, and is not required to register as a lobbyist with the State Ethics Commission in connection with preparing or delivering such report.
By order of the Commission,
David T. Nassef
Chairperson