Here we go again: the Parliament tries again to regulate the activity of lobbyists. The Chamber of Deputies had already approved a bill in the previous legislature, but it did not have time to obtain the approval of the Senate. Now the Constitutional Affairs Committee of Montecitorio is examining a series of proposals. Six, to be precise, signed by Fdi, Fi, M5s, Avs, Pd.
Which in the meantime identify who are the stakeholders and who are the recipientsAs for the former, this includes anyone who represents projects and initiatives, including social or non-economic ones, with the exclusion of journalists, public officials, representatives of foreign governments and parties, and religious denominations. The recipients of such interests include members of Parliament and the Government; regional presidents, councilors, and councilors; and presidents and members of independent authorities.
Registry, supervisory authority, and sanctions: what the new proposals envisage
I subjects Those who engage in interest representation activities must be entered into a special register to ensure the disclosure of the individuals who influence decision-making processes. The register is accompanied by a Supervisory Authority. And of course, there is no shortage of fines: for violation of consultation obligations, for violation of the code of ethics, for providing false information, for carrying out interest representation activities without registration in the Register.
Obviously the six proposals then converge into a single text.
Attempts to regulate lobbying by law They were carried out in the 131st, 14th, 17th, and 18th legislatures, but never reached a conclusion. It should be noted, however, that in the 17th legislature, the Committee on the Rules of Procedure of the Chamber of Deputies approved the Code of Conduct for Deputies (April 12, 2016) and a provision regulating representation activities. And in February 2017, the Register of individuals who professionally represent interests for deputies at the Chamber of Deputies' offices was formally established.
