Advisory Opinions

Advisory Opinion	Abstract
Advisory Opinion 21-01	Whether it was a permissible exception to the general statutory prohibition precluding employers of lobbyists from providing gifts to General Assembly members for an employer of a lobbyist to provide each member of the Tennessee General Assembly with a one fifth bottle of liquor as part of a gift basket and as part of a virtual in-state event as described at Tenn. Code Ann. § 3-6-305(b)(8).
Advisory Opinion 14-01	Whether utility district commissioners are required to file Statements of Interest with the Tennessee Ethics Commission pursuant to T.C.A. § 8-50-501 et seq.
Advisory Opinion 09-01	Whether Housing Industry PAC is controlled by an employer of a lobbyist and therefore prohibited from making campaign contributions to a gubernatorial candidate during legislative session pursuant to Tenn. Code. Ann. § 3-6-304(i).
Advisory Opinion 08-09	Whether members of the Tennessee Commission on Uniform Legislation are “officials in the legislative branch”as defined by Tenn. Code Ann. § 3-6-301(20), and if so whether persons communicating with such members for compensation for the purpose of influencing legislative action or administrative actionare engaged in “lobbying” as defined in Tenn. Code Ann. § 3-6-301(15)and must therefore register as lobbyists as required by Tenn. Code Ann. § 3-6-302.
Advisory Opinion 08-08	Interpretation of T.C.A. §§ 3-6-305(b)(2),(b)(4) and (b)(7) with respect to whether State Officials may attend a conference partially funded by employers of lobbyists, and accept free materials and promotional items provided by the employers of lobbyists in connection with the conference.
Advisory Opinion 08-07	Interpretation of Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 3-6-117 with regard to whether requests for informal responses are confidential, and whether the responses are public records.
Advisory Opinion 08-06	Interpretation of T.C.A. § 3-6-301(11) with respect to whether an official in the executive branch whose registration fee for a conference or educational seminar is waived by an employer of a lobbyist may receive refreshments incidental to the conference or educational seminar if these refreshments are included in the registration fee.
Advisory Opinion 08-05	Interpretation of T.C.A. §§ 3-6-301 and 3-6-305 with respect to whether the Ethics Reform Act permits an employer of a lobbyist to provide, and a general assembly member to receive, benefits provided in connection with a reception for Tennessee delegates at a national party convention.
Advisory Opinion 08-04, Part II	Interpretation Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 3-6-305(b) with regard to whether any of the exceptions to the giftban contained therein allow state officials who are members of a non-profit organization to solicit contributions from employers of lobbyists for the purpose of supporting a conference of state government officials.
Advisory Opinion 08-04, Part I	Whether Tenn. Code Ann. § 3-6-305(a)(2), places restrictions on various fundraising activities of a professional association whose membership includes state officials, or upon the participation of those state officials in such activities.
Advisory Opinion 08-03	Interpretation of T.C.A. § 3-6-305 with respect to whether the Act prohibits an employer of a lobbyist from paying the expenses of a “politically active” stroke survivor who is also an official in the executive branch to travel to Washington, D.C. to participate in an annual “Lobby Day.”
Advisory Opinion 08-02	Interpretation of T.C.A. § 3-6-301(8) with respect to acceptance of an award, reimbursement of expenses and an honorarium from a national professional organization
Advisory Opinion 08-01	Interpretation of T.C.A. § 3-6-305 with respect to an employer of a lobbyist providing commemorative bottles of wine and glasses to members of the Legislature in connection with an all-legislative and in-state event.
Advisory Opinion 07-12	Interpretation of T.C.A. §§ 3-6-301, et seq., with respect to whether a lobbyist, employer of a lobbyist, or lobbying firm may host a fundraiser or provide a venue for a fundraising event for a member or candidate for the Tennessee General Assembly.
Advisory Opinion 07-10	Interpretation of T.C.A. § 3-6-301, et seq. regarding lobbyist registration requirements for employees of public relations firms.
Advisory Opinion 07-09	T.C.A. §3-6-301(15); Registration Requirements of Transportation Authority
Advisory Opinion 07-07	Interpretation of T.C.A. §§ 3-6-304 and 3-6-305, with respect to an employer of a lobbyist’s ability to provide travel expenses and otherwise underwrite professional conferences.
Advisory Opinion 07-06	T.C.A. §3-6-301(8); Employer Registration Requirements for Lobbyist Retained w/o Authorization
Advisory Opinion 07-05	T.C.A. §3-6-304(j); Application of Ban on Campaign Contributions to Various Types of Candidates
Advisory Opinion 07-04	T.C.A. §§2-10-122, 125, 126; Requirements for Filing Disclosure of Consulting Services
Advisory Opinion 07-03	Interpretation of § T.C.A. 3-6-304(j) with respect to whether a lobbyist make may campaign contributions in her capacity as an as an officer of a political action committee.
Advisory Opinion 07-02	T.C.A. §3-6-305(b)(6); Participation of General Assembly Members in Charitable Events
Advisory Opinion 07-01	T.C.A. §3-6-301, et seq.; Application of Gift Ban to Affiliate Members
Advisory Opinion 06-03	T.C.A. §3-6-301, et seq.; Registration Requirements for Persons Monitoring Legislation
Advisory Opinion 06-02	T.C.A. §§3-6-301(15) & (17); Registration Requirements for Attorneys
Advisory Opinion 06-01	T.C.A. § 3-6-301, et seq.; Commencement of Lobbyist Registration Deadline