“A lot of people, because there isn’t a lot that can be done at the federal level, they’re turning to states to get action,” said Melissa Laurenza, an attorney at Akin Gump who specializes in political law and government ethics and previously served as a lawyer for the FEC chairman. “There’s more focus on the states, whereas five or 10 years ago, federal was the game. You wanted to play at the federal level if you wanted to get movement.”

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Seven states this month enacted new regulations on lobbying and gift-giving to lawmakers.

Connecticut and Kansas raised the amount for how much money a person can earn from lobbying activities before having to register with the state, while Nevada tightened its rules, enacting a provision that prevents lobbyists from giving gifts to state legislators. Other states are emphasizing oversight and compliance, with Virginia creating a new ethics council to take over responsibility for lobbying disclosure filings. New York started an “amnesty” program meant to bring non-filing lobbyists, dating back to 2006, into compliance with registration rules.

One state lawmaker is looking to take disclosure to a new level. A Republican legislator in Missouri this week introduced a bill that would require lobbyists who have sex with state lawmakers or their staff to include it as a “gift” in lobbyist disclosure forms.

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The new rules are not expected to dramatically change the lobbying landscape in any of the states, but they do signify a movement by state governments to tweak, improve and clarify rules for lobbyists at a time that many hotly contested lobbying fights — such as those over gun laws and regulations for ride-hailing companies like Uber — are progressing more quickly in state capitals than they are in Congress.

The lobbying business is also adjusting to the focus on states, with many firms that once focused primarily on federal lobbying opening new offices or expanding into states.

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Uber hired lobbyists in at least 50 U.S. cities and states to pressure local lawmakers to allow the service to operate in their jurisdictions, finding success in many areas.

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Gun safety advocates are gaining momentum in several states, while Congress has not moved on legislation. In 2013, following the Sandy Hook school shooting, the Connecticut state legislature passed a sweeping gun control law banning assault weapons and ammunition magazines with more than 10 rounds. In October, Delaware passed a law aimed at preventing convicted domestic abusers from buying guns. Advocacy efforts are underway in Maine to get a measure expanding background checks for gun purchases onto the November ballot. In Nevada, gun safety advocates have gathered enough signatures to qualify for a background check initiative to be put before voters when they head to the polls in November.

Many other ongoing and upcoming policy debates — including cybersecurity, privacy laws and online gaming regulations — are also playing out at the state level, Laurenza said.