Agenda Report
Fullerton City Council
MEETING DATE: OCTOBER 6, 2026
TO: CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR AGENCY
SUBMITTED BY: LUCINDA WILLIAMS, CITY CLERK
PREPARED BY: LUCINDA WILLIAMS, CITY CLERK
SUBJECT: LOCAL LOBBYIST REGISTRATION AND DISCLOSURE PROGRAM OPTIONS
SUMMARY
This report presents Local Lobbyist Registration and Disclosure Program options for City Council consideration. Staff requests City Council select a program model, the covered persons and activities, reporting requirements, administrative responsibility, enforcement authority and funding approach for implementation.
PROPOSED MOTION
Determine program model, covered persons and activities, reporting requirements, administrative responsibility, enforcement authority and funding approach for implementation and direct staff to present enacting documents and costs for consideration at a future City Council meeting.
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
Approve the Proposed Motion
Do not implement a new program and continue with existing transparency practices Other options brought by City Council.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
None.
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
None.
PRIORITY POLICY STATEMENT
Fiscal and Organizational Stability.
FISCAL IMPACT
Fiscal impact for the Local Lobbyist Registration and Disclosure program would depend on which program City Council implements, if any. A program may require additional staffing and generate other administrative costs, depending on City Council direction. Staff would provide specific cost estimates, funding options and proposed fees based on City Council direction at a future City Council meeting.
DISCUSSION
Council Member Zahra requested, supported by Council Member Charles, to agendize a lobbyist registration program discussion. This report presents local lobbyist registration and disclosure program options for City Council consideration. Staff requests City Council select a program model, the covered persons and activities, reporting requirements, administrative responsibility, enforcement authority and funding approach for implementation and direct staff to present instruments and funding options to implement the program at a future City Council meeting California law regulates lobbying activity at the state level. Local agencies may adopt local regulations to report activity at the local level. A local lobbyist registration program can track those paid or otherwise assigned to influence City decisions, who the lobbyist represents and issues they seek to influence. A local program provides disclosure but does not prohibit advocacy.
Programs can range from basic reporting to a comprehensive program. The following describes program options.
Status Quo. City Council would not adopt new lobbyist reporting regulations and continue adherence to existing state and local regulations including ex parte reporting at City Council meetings, open meeting and conflict-of-interest rules and campaign finance reporting.
This option has no additional fiscal impact and relies on existing regulations rather than a local program.
Basic Program. City Council could adopt an ordinance to create a basic local lobbyist and disclosure program requiring lobbyists to register with the City Clerk. The City Clerk’s Office could maintain a public online register, issue filing notices, assess late filing fines and refer violations to the City Attorney, or another designated entity, for enforcement.
A basic program could require disclosure such as:
lobbyist name, business address, employer and contact information client or employer name and contact information
the city business being lobbied
the city officials, employees and/or boards, committees and commissions lobbied date and general nature of each reportable contact
periodic disclosure filing
compensation received or paid (if required by City Council) compensation threshold to trigger reporting requirements gifts, meals and other reportable expenditures subject to applicable law.
City Council could consider one-time or ongoing registration fees for this program. This option would require additional staffing and technology to implement.
Comprehensive Program. A comprehensive program would utilize an ethics commission, ethics officer or contracted administrator to oversee disclosure filings, education, advice, audits, complaints, investigations and penalties. The City could have searchable reports available through an electronic filing portal and require ethics training for registrants.
City Council could consider one-time or ongoing registration fees for this program. This option offers durable compliance and public confidence but requires significant staffing, legal review, technology, training and enforcement.
Targeted Program. A targeted program could require disclosure only for specific decisions such as:
land use entitlements
development agreements
salary negotiations
procurement above a specific dollar amount
franchise agreements
capital projects
legislative actions above a specific threshold.
City Council could consider one-time or ongoing registration fees for this program. This program could reduce the number of registrants but adds a layer of regulation to define what actions necessitate registration. It would require additional staffing and technology.
Policy Decisions
Staff requests City Council identify the preferred model and provide direction regarding the following policy areas, when applicable:
Lobbyist Definition such as limiting to contract or in-house lobbyists.
Compensation Threshold such as contract lobbyists receiving $1000 per month compensation and in-house lobbyists based on organizational role.
Reportable Activity including defining a reporting communication and kinds of actions (legislative, administrative, quasi-judicial, procurement, etc.) covered.
Exemptions such as testimony provided during a public hearing, uncompensated individuals acting on their own behalf, responses to a request for information, media activity and religious or nonprofit organization communications.
Registration Frequency to set either one-time or annual registration as well as determine when registration is required (before any activity or a set time following any activity, etc.).
Filing Frequency to determine how often to report activity (or no activity) such as quarterly, semiannually or annually.
Fees, Penalties and Enforcement determine the filing fee, penalties for late filing and enforcement for non-filers.
Electronic Filing for efficient filing and searchable public access.
Program Administration to determine whether the City Clerk or other entity administers the program.
Education, audit and complaint procedures to include with any enhanced program.
Attachment 2 provides examples of lobbyist registry programs in other agencies for reference.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 – PowerPoint
Attachment 2 – Lobbyist Registry Examples
cc: City Manager Eddie Manfro
Local Lobbyist Registration and Disclosure Program
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