The CPA-Zicklin Index, published by the Center for Political Accountability and the University of Pennsylvania’s Zicklin Center for Governance and Business Ethics, now includes the entire Russell 1000, revealing a significant transparency gap between S&P 500 companies and the rest. The report highlights increased transparency and accountability in political spending among major U.S. companies, driven by shareholder demands and ESG considerations. The Supreme Court's Citizen’s United ruling has amplified corporate political spending, prompting companies to align their contributions with corporate values. Ballard Spahr assists clients in developing balanced political spending policies.

Illinois has amended its Lobbyist Registration Act through Public Act 102-664/Senate Bill 539, extending lobbying rules to localities, requiring reporting of lobbying consultants, and mandating ethics and sexual harassment training for lobbyists. The state law preempts local laws in jurisdictions with fewer than 500,000 people, leaving only Chicago's lobbying laws intact. The amendments broaden the definition of 'official' and require all lobbyists to register with the Secretary of State, with no thresholds for registration. Consultants must now be disclosed, and lobbyists must report consultant expenses. Ethics and sexual harassment training is mandatory before registration is complete.

Washington, D.C. will enforce its pay-to-play law starting November 9, 2022, after delays due to funding issues. The law prohibits political contributions from entities holding or seeking contracts worth $250,000 or more with the D.C. government, including contributions from senior officers and affiliated Political Action Committees. Several states, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and Rhode Island, have upcoming reporting deadlines for pay-to-play regulations. Violations of these laws can result in penalties, contract rescission, and debarment, emphasizing the need for robust compliance programs.

Legislators in the U.S. Congress, Arizona, and California have proposed bills to restrict political contributions from U.S. subsidiaries of foreign corporations and to limit the operation of PACs by for-profit corporations. Key proposals include the Get Foreign Money Out of U.S. Elections Act by Rep. Jamie Raskin, the Ban Corporate PACs Act by Sen. Mark Kelly, and California's AB 1819 by Assemblymember Alex Lee. These legislative efforts reflect a growing interest in reducing the influence of PACs and foreign entities in American elections, though their success remains uncertain.