Pennsylvania Code Title 51 - PUBLIC OFFICERS
Here’s an updated outline of Pennsylvania Code Title 51 – Public Officers, current through 55 Pa.B. 2578 (March 29, 2025):
📚 Title 51 Structure
Part I – State Ethics Commission
Chapters 1–7: Reserved (no active rules) (pacodeandbulletin.gov)
Chapter 11 – General Provisions
Chapter 13 – Opinions and Advice of Counsel
Chapter 15 – Statements of Financial Interests, Applicability
Chapter 17 – Statements of Financial Interests, Content
Chapter 19 – Statements of Financial Interests, Miscellaneous
Chapter 21 – Investigations
Chapter 23 – Commission
Chapter 25 – Wrongful Use of the Ethics Act (pacodeandbulletin.gov)
Part II – Lobbying Disclosure Committee
Chapters 31–45: Reserved (pacodeandbulletin.gov)
Part III – Lobbying Disclosure
Chapter 51 – General Provisions
Chapter 53 – Registration & Termination
Chapter 55 – Reporting
Chapter 57 – Exemptions
Chapter 59 – Opinions and Advice of Counsel
Chapter 61 – Compliance Audits
Chapter 63 – Investigations, Hearings & Referrals
Chapter 65 – Sanction: Prohibition Against Lobbying for Pay
Chapter 67 – Prohibited Activities
Chapter 69 – Severability (pacodeandbulletin.gov)
🔍 Spotlight: Part III – Lobbying Disclosure (Chapter 51 General Provisions)
Key provisions under Chapter 51 include:
§ 51.1 Definitions (e.g., “lobbying,” “registrant,” “administrative/legislative action,” “gift,” “hospitality”) (pacodeandbulletin.gov)
§ 51.2 Filing Dates: Deadlines falling on weekends or holidays shift to the next business day (pacodeandbulletin.gov)
§ 51.3 Reporting Periods:
Registration is biennial (odd-numbered years)
Expense reports due quarterly (pacodeandbulletin.gov, parules.elaws.us)
§ 51.4 Delinquency: Defines delinquent filings, specifies receipt deadlines based on filing method (pacodeandbulletin.gov)
§ 51.5 Deficiency: Outlines criteria (e.g., illegibility, incomplete data, missing signature), and states that deficient filings remain invalid until corrected (pacodeandbulletin.gov)
§ 51.6 Biennial Review: Department adjusts thresholds (e.g., exemption, reporting, filing fees) every two years, effective at the start of a quarter (pacodeandbulletin.gov)
§ 51.7 Forms & Publications: Paper or electronic—signature, affirmation, designation rules; lobbyist firms/entities’ filings must be signed by authorized individuals
§ 51.8 Amended Filings: Requirements for correcting previously submitted filings
§ 51.9 Signing Requirements: Affirms filings under penalty of unsworn falsification (18 Pa.C.S. § 4904); delegees must be authorized (pacodeandbulletin.gov)
§ 51.10 Electronic Filing:
Electronic signatures equal handwritten ones
Must submit fee/photo within 5 calendar days for registration to be deemed filed (pacodeandbulletin.gov)
§ 51.11 Parent‑Subsidiary Registration: Allows consolidated filings if IRS-qualified, with disclosure for each entity
✅ Summary Table
Part & Chapter
Focus Area
I (11–25)
Ethics Commission rules—financial disclosure, investigations
II (31–45)
Reserved (no active rules)
III (51–69)
Comprehensive lobbying regulations: definitions, filings, audits, enforcement
🧭 Need More?
I can dive into:
Specific chapters in Part I (e.g., financial interest forms, investigation process)
Registration/termination rules (Chapter 53)
Reporting criteria (Chapter 55)
Audit and enforcement procedures (Chapters 61–65)
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