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