New York's state ethics commission is seeking comments from the general public on proposed changes to lobbying regulations, including revisions to rules on lobbying through social media. 

The state's Joint Commission on Public Ethics announced Wednesday it was accepting comments, saying the proposed revisions aim to provide clarification and make "substantive" changes in key areas.

The proposed changes clarify that reportable lobbying activity includes when an organization uses its social media accounts to make direct contact with a public official via social media.

But it says that direct contact with a public official through a person's personal social media account is not reportable lobbying activity, unless a person is specifically retained for such work.

The revisions would also specify that a person taking part in grassroots lobbying is not required to list themselves as an "individual lobbyist," unless they also engage in direct lobbying. 

The commission says it plans to implement updated regulations by the beginning of 2021, after the comment period and rule-making process.

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