Now that it has been signed into law, The Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007 will have a major impact on lobbyists’ behavior and on congressional procedures. For the first time, those who “knowingly and corruptly” violate lobbying laws could go to jail for up to five years.

BNA’s special report, New Rules for Lobbyists and Lawmakers, provides a guide to The Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007 as well as other recent House and Senate rules changes, including the requirements that lawmakers and other candidates report on campaign money they receive that is “bundled” by lobbyists and that lobbyists disclose in their Lobbying Disclosure Act reports all direct and indirect contributions to campaigns.

New Rules for Lobbyists and Lawmakers also provides all relevant text, analyses the changes section-by-section, and discusses the measures in the Act that will:

• Increase the frequency of LDA reporting
• Require lobbyists and lobbying organizations to certify that they have not provided gifts or travel to lawmakers in violation of congressional ethics rules
• Increase penalties for violation of lobbying laws
• Impose more transparent procedures for earmarks
• End the practice of secret “holds” on legislation
• Impose new “revolving door” and hiring restrictions
• Require legislative conference reports to be available for public review on the Internet 48 hours before a vote