5-7-103. Licenses -- fees -- eligibility -- waiver. (1) Any adult of good moral character who is otherwise qualified under this chapter may be licensed as a lobbyist. The commissioner shall provide a license application form. The application form may be obtained from and must be filed in the office of the commissioner. Upon approval of the application and receipt of the license fee by the commissioner, a license must be issued that entitles the licensee to practice lobbying on behalf of one or more enumerated principals. The license fee is $150 for each lobbyist. Each license expires on December 31 of each even-numbered year or may be terminated at the request of the lobbyist. A lobbyist who believes that payment of the license fee may constitute a hardship may apply to the commissioner for a waiver of the fee required by this section. The commissioner may waive all or a portion of the license fee upon proof by the lobbyist that payment of the fee constitutes a hardship.
(2) (a) Except as provided in subsection (2)(b), an application may not be disapproved without affording the applicant a hearing. The hearing must be held and the decision entered within 10 days of the date of the filing of the application.
(b) An application may not be approved if a principal has failed to file reports required under 5-7-208.
(3) The fines collected under this chapter must be deposited in the state treasury.
(4) The commissioner shall deposit the license fee provided for in subsection (1) as follows:
(a) $50 in the general fund; and
(b) $100 in the state special revenue account provided for in 5-11-1112.
(5) The commissioner may adopt rules to implement the waiver provisions of subsection (1).
History: En. Sec. 3, Ch. 157, L. 1959; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 248, L. 1965; amd. Sec. 20, Ch. 309, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 43-803(1); amd. Sec. 3, I.M. No. 85, approved Nov. 4, 1980; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 91, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 498, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 18, Sp. L. November 1993; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 557, L. 2001.
