Lobbying

Lobbying occurs under Arizona law when a person attempts to influence the passage or defeat of any legislation by directly communicating with any State Legislator. Legislation refers to bills, resolutions, memorials, amendments, nominations and other matters that are pending or proposed in either house of the Legislature of this State.

Lobbying for the Board

Only the Chairperson of the Board, the Chairperson’s designee, members of the Public Policy Committee, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Executive Officer’s designee, and FTF public affairs staff shall speak for the Board to members of the State Legislature in matters relating to policy. In speaking with members of the State Legislature, Board representatives shall make every effort to accurately communicate officially-taken Board positions. Board representatives may communicate that legislation does or does not align with the Board’s vision and mission, including A.R.S. § 8-1151, even when the Board has not specifically passed a resolution in favor or opposing the legislation.

A Board member lobbying in his or her official capacity on matters pertaining to the Board is exempt from the lobbying laws requiring registration and expenditure reporting.

Lobbying in an Individual Capacity

The Board recognizes and appreciates the privilege each individual in this State and Nation has to express his or her opinion and to seek to make that opinion known to members of the State Legislature. The Board also recognizes the responsibilities with which it has been entrusted in connection with the operation of the early childhood development and health system and the advancement of early childhood development and health programs in the State of Arizona and recognizes that on occasion the interests of the Board will not coincide with the interests of individual Board members or employees of the FTF staff.

In approaching members of the State Legislature in an individual capacity, Board members and FTF staff shall make every effort to indicate clearly that the position which they take is an individual position or is the position of a group other than the Board. In instances in which the Board has taken an official position, the Board member, employee or employee group endorsing a differing position shall make it clear to the legislative body that the Board has endorsed a different or contrary position.

This policy is not intended to nor shall it be enforced so as to restrict rights guaranteed to individual employees or Board members but is an attempt only to separate the views of those individuals from positions which the Board may take in attempting to discharge its responsibilities under the statutes of the State of Arizona.

Board members who, on their own behalf, appear before a legislative committee or communicate with a State Legislator to lobby in support of or in opposition to legislation are also exempt from the lobbying laws requiring registration and expenditure reporting.

* Board members who only engage in exempt lobbying are not considered lobbyists. See A.R.S. §§ 41-1231 & 41-1232.04. Additionally, Board members should be aware that the Board cannot make any expenditure for entertainment for a state officer or employee (including Legislators) and Board members cannot accept an expenditure for entertainment from a lobbyist or someone acting on behalf of a lobbyist. Entertainment refers to admission to or participation in a sporting event or a cultural event or activity. See A.R.S. §§ 41-1231(5)-(6) & 41-1232.08.

Adopted June 26, 2007
Revised October 3, 2017
Revised February 12, 2019
Revised May 14, 2019