October 6, 2026
Lobbyist Registry Program
1 What is a Lobbyist Registration
2 A lobbyist registration requires government disclosure filings to identify people or organizations paid to influence public policy or official government decisions. It provides transparency regarding who is lobbying, for whom, on which issues and often how much is spent
Options
Status Quo: No new regulations and continue adherence to existing state and local regulations including ex parte reporting at City Council meetings, open meetings and conflict-of-interest rules and campaign finance reporting.
Basic Program: Adopt an ordinance to create a simple local lobbyist registration program, usually implemented by staff with modest requirements.
Comprehensive Program: Adopt an ordinance to create a program with comprehensive requirements, run by a commission, ethics officer or contracted administrator 3 Options
Targeted Program: Adopt an ordinance to implement a program requiring registration for specific decisions such as land use entitlements, salary negotiations or legislative actions above a specific threshold. 4 Costs
No additional costs for status quo
All other options would require additional personnel and technology to implement 5 Policy Decisions
Any registry would require City Council policy direction for items such as:
Lobbyist Definition
Compensation Threshold
Reportable Activity
Exemptions
Registration Frequency
6 Policy Decisions
Filing Frequency
Fees, Penalties and Enforcement
Electronic Filing
Program Administration
Education, Audit and Complaint Procedures
7 Next Steps
Provide direction on the type of registry to implement, if any Provide direction on the policy decisions
Staff would present an ordinance incorporating City Council direction and costs for consideration at a future City Council meeting 8