41-1239. Duties of secretary of state

A. The secretary of state shall:

1. Prescribe and publish the registration and registration amendment forms and the annual and quarterly expenditure forms, handbooks and rules necessary to carry out the provisions of this article.

2. Refer to the attorney general or county attorney for investigation any matter which the secretary of state has reason to believe constitutes a violation of any of the provisions of this article.

3. Provide for the cross-referencing of the registration required by sections 41-1232 and 41-1232.01 so that each lobbyist authorized by a principal pursuant to section 41-1232, subsection A and each public lobbyist authorized by a public body pursuant to section 41-1232.01, subsection A shall be identified with such principal.

4. Advise incumbents and nonincumbent candidates regarding campaign finance laws and public officer reporting and disclosure laws. At the request of the person asking for advice, the secretary of state shall log the request and the response.

5. Compile and issue an annual report of all expenditures reported by principals, public bodies, lobbyists and public lobbyists. The annual report shall accurately summarize all expenditures for lobbying but shall not double report expenditures by a lobbyist that were reimbursed and reported by a principal or public body. The report shall list the name of each principal or public body along with the name of each lobbyist or public lobbyist that is listed on the principal's registration statement.

B. The secretary of state may adopt rules regarding initiative, referendum and recall. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection apply to statewide and county initiatives, referenda and recalls.