Ohio’s Post Employment Disclosure Law

Updated Post Employment Disclosure Statements:

Ohio law requires PED filers receiving income from a Qualifying Source (“Update Filers”) to periodically disclose expenditures they make for the benefit a state public official or employee.  An Updated PED Statement (“Updated Statement”) is a form provided by the OLIG to assist Filers in disclosing these expenditures.

What is an expenditure that must be disclosed on an Updated PED Statement?

In essence, Ohio’s PED law subjects Update Filers to the same expenditure reporting requirements as registered lobbyists. This means Update Filers must disclose any expenditure made for the benefit of a state-level public official or a state employee who is required to file a financial disclosure statement. An expenditure is anything of value including gifts, travel, lodging, meals, and beverages which is paid from any account in the Update Filer’s name, unless later reimbursed by the recipient.

How must expenditures be reported?

Expenditure reporting can be complex. Briefly, expenditures must be reported in two ways. First, the total aggregate of all expenditures made during a reporting period must be disclosed. Second, expenditures must be reported by type: gifts, meals and beverages, and all invited functions. Further, certain expenditures must be itemized if the monetary value exceeds varying threshold limits.

Most Update Filers do not have reportable expenditures; their Updated Statement is complete by indicating “$0.00.”  Update Filers who believe they made a reportable expenditure are advised to contact the OLIG for reporting assistance.

When must an Updated PED Statement be filed?

Each calendar year is divided into three PED reporting periods: January through April, May through August, and September through December.  An Updated Statement must be submitted for every reporting period during which an Update Filer receives income from a Qualifying Source. The deadline to file an Updated Statement is the last day of the next month that follows the reporting period.

PED Reporting Periods and Deadlines
PED Reporting Period	Filing Deadline
January – April	May 31st
May – August	September 30th
September – December	January 31st of the following year

How to obtain and file an Updated PED Statement?

The OLIG generates an Updated Statement for each filer.  Each Updated Statement will be available on the OLIG’s website approximately thirty days before each filing deadline.  Filers obtain their Updated Statement by clicking the Print My PED link and entering their last name.  

Reminders of upcoming filing deadlines:

Approximately thirty days before each filing deadline, the OLIG will send a postcard to the address listed on each Update Filer’s Initial PED Statement. Email reminders will also be sent. Filers are responsible for informing the OLIG should their contact information change. Reminders are sent as a courtesy. Filers are subject to Ohio’s PED law regardless of receiving a notification.

Failure to file an Updated Statement:

Update Filers who fail to file an Updated Statement will be notified of their delinquency by certified letter. Failure to file an Updated Statement within fifteen (15) days from the receipt of the certified letter may result in a late fee assessment of $12.50 per day up to a maximum $100.00.

When does an Update Filer’s PED obligations end?

An Update Filer’s obligation to file Updated Statements ends upon the happening of any of the following:

1. The filer no longer receives income from a qualifying source;
   
2. The filer registers as an executive agency lobbyist or legislative agent on behalf of the qualifying source;
   
3. The ending of the filer’s 24 month PED period.
   

How to terminate a Qualifying Source:

If during a reporting period, an Update Filer ceases to receive income from a qualifying source, the filer may terminate the source on their next Updated Statement. If the filer does not receive income from any other qualifying source, this terminates the filer’s obligation to file additional statements. The filer remains obligated to inform the OLIG of subsequent changes in employment until the expiration of their 24 month PED period.

Additional Considerations:

Prohibited expenditures:

Ohio law prohibits Members of the Ohio General Assembly from accepting the following from any Update Filer:

1. More than seventy-five dollars aggregated per calendar year as payment for meals and other food and beverages;
   
2. A gift of any amount in the form of cash or the equivalent of cash, or a gift of any other thing of value whose value exceeds seventy-five dollars; or
3. The payment of any expenses for travel or lodging not directly related to official duties.
   

State Colleges and Universities as Qualifying Sources:

Generally, Ohio’s PED laws exempt state agencies from being considered a qualifying source of income.  In many respects a state college or university is a “state agency.” However, for the purposes of Ohio’s PED and lobbying laws, a “‘state agency’ does not include a state institution of higher education.” Therefore, a state college or university that otherwise meets the definition of a qualifying source, must be listed as such on a departing employee’s Initial PED Statement.

Financial Disclosure vs. Post Employment Disclosure:

PED is separate and distinct from any financial disclosure filing requirement a filer may have with their respective ethics commission. Filing a PED Statement does not replace any duty to file a personal financial disclosure statement for the former employee’s final calendar year of public service.

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