Lobbyists
On January 1, 2008, the City's new Lobbying Ordinance went into effect. Some of the most substantial changes to the ordinance involve replacing the old $2,730 registration threshold for contract lobbyists with a $1 threshold; implementing a new "contacts" threshold for in-house lobbyists (referred to as "organization lobbyists" in the new ordinance); regulating a new type of lobbyist - "expenditure lobbyists" - which are individuals and entities that engage in indirect lobbying through such means as public outreach and advertising; and requiring that annual and quarterly disclosure forms be filed by lobbying entities rather than by each individual lobbyist.
The Ethics Commission has created a variety of Fact Sheets to help individuals and entities understand their responsibilities under the new Lobbying Ordinance. For these and other educational materials please refer to the list of documents posted below.
Transition Between Old and New Lobbying Ordinances
If you were a lobbyist in 2007, your registration expired in January of 2008. If your firm or organization qualifies as a Lobbying Firm or Organization Lobbyist in 2008, it must register as such with the City Clerk within 10 calendar days, using one of the new Registration Forms. Do not use an old Registration Form after January 1, 2008. Firms and organizations may register prior to meeting the qualification threshold if they wish to do so.
Relevant Documents
Lists of 'City Officials'
2008 Issues Concerning City's Lobbying Laws
2005-2007 Review of City's Lobbying Laws
