Lobbyist Registry Examples
Jurisdiction
Complexity
Lobbyist qualifications
Threshold / trigger
Registration and fee
Regular reporting
Main disclosures
Exemptions / notable scope limits
Oversight and enforcement
Santa Ana
Comprehensive and disclosure-heavy. includes client-by-client registration information, annual lobbying disclosure, quarterly political-contribution reporting, quarterly fundraising reporting, online filing, public access and enforcement provisions Any individual, business entity or organization, including nonprofits, compensated to communicate directly or through agents with City officials to influence a municipal legislative or administrative action $500 or more in a calendar month, excluding travel reimbursement, for communications made on behalf of another person or entity to influence City action Within 15 business days of qualifying. Amendments for new or changed client information within 15 business days.
Must renew annually
Annual disclosure plus quarterly political-contribution reports and quarterly fundraising-activity reports Lobbyist and firm identity
business and owner information
each client and client’s business, matter to influence
desired outcome
officials contacted
persons retained to lobby
payments or benefits to City officials or their family members client compensation
campaign contributions
gifts
fundraising
gifts or contributions made at an official’s behest
city consulting payments
work compensated for elected officials’ campaign
prior City lobbying activity
Exempts:
public officials and government employees acting officially unpaid persons
people representing themselves
people providing public-hearing testimony or written statements for the record limited competitive-bid / RFP activity
certain qualifying 501(c)(3) direct-service organizations media entities engaged only in ordinary news / editorial / advertising functions Clerk of the Council administers electronic filing, makes filings public online, can issue notices of filing obligations, and refers apparent violations to the City Attorney.
A person complying or proving an exemption within 10 business days of notice not considered a violation May charge violations may be charged as misdemeanors or infractions Each continuing day is a separate offense
Convicted person may not lobby for compensation for 1 year Residents have standing to bring a civil enforcement action.
Anaheim
Moderately detailed
Any individual or entity that receives or becomes entitled to receive compensation for lobbying or employed / contracted for substantial regular work to influence legislative or administrative action $500 or more in a month, excluding reasonable travel reimbursement or lobbying as a substantial or regular portion of employment or a contract Initial registration filed with City Clerk within 15 days of qualifying.
Annual renewal
Initial and annual fee: $100
Quarterly
lobbyist identity and contact information
employer / client identity and contact information
matters to influence
lobbying activity
positions supported or opposed
campaign contributions to Council members
5 year records retention
Exempts:
public officials acting officially
unpaid persons
certain media activity
invited witnesses
certain permit / map applicants
licensed professionals acting within professional services limited competitive-bid / RFP communications labor negotiators City Clerk administers
may assess penalty fees
City Auditor must audit a random sample of registrants annually and seek information about potential unregistered lobbying at least semiannually. misdemeanors violations punishable by up to 6 months in jail, a $1,000 fine, and 1 year lobbying ban of after a first conviction or 3 additional years after a second conviction Late registration or reporting may result in a $50 late penalty San Jose
Significantly less complex than larger agencies - one main lobbyist category and fewer disclosures A person paid to influence city governmental, legislative or administrative action or principal employee duties involve direct or agent-mediated communications intended to influence city action $2,000 or more per month, or lobbying is a principal duty Registration required before acting as a lobbyist.
Must report new clients within 15 days.
Annual re-registration required.
No quarterly reports
Name and address of each client; new-client information Exempts
Employees lobbying for employer but not a regular part of employment limited exemptions for attorneys, architects and civil engineers participating in public proceedings, filing related documents or communicating directly about those activities City Clerk handles registration
Ethics Board monitors compliance.
Failure to register within 7 days can bar on appearances before City Council, except at a public hearing on one’s own behalf, for three months or until registration, whichever is later Malibu
Short and simple ordinance
Any compensated individual or entity communicating with or appearing before elective/appointive officials or employees to influence legislative or administrative action No minimum compensation threshold and no minimum-contact threshold Registration required before lobbying for a one-time $35 fee.
No annual renewal
Amendment due within 10 days of changed circumstances.
An unregistered lobbyist may present at a public meeting if they state the required information on the record, pay the fee and later file the written statement No periodic reports
Employer / client entity and the legislative or administrative action involved None
City Clerk maintains forms
little oversight, review or enforcement.
West Hollywood
Brief and simple
compensated persons communicating with or appearing before officials or employees to influence legislative or administrative action No threshold specified
Annual registration with a $10 annual fee. A lobbyist is deemed registered if they state the required information on the record at a public meeting No periodic reports
None specified
No specific exemptions are identified
City Clerk receives annual forms
no meaningful enforcement, verification or oversight
San Francisco
Very detailed and complex; comparable
Paid persons hired to lobby; also recognizes “business and organization lobbyists” when employees lobby on behalf of an organization Individual: $3,200 in a quarter for lobbying services or at least 25 separate contacts with city officers in two consecutive months Organization: pays employees to lobby and employees make 25 contacts in two months Annual registration, initial, client, annual re-registration and per-client fees required, though Client authorization required at registration
new-client authorization due before lobbying and no later than 15 days after retention termination statement due within 15 days
Quarterly reports required
Clients, compensation, contacts with city officials, political contributions, gifts and employment relationships involving city officers, their family members or city employees Applies to contacts with defined city officers,
Public-hearing testimony generally excluded from “contact,” though a qualified lobbyist testifying for a client must identify the client or report the appearance San Francisco Ethics Commission administers, advises, issues rules, conducts quarterly workshops, publishes a lobbyist manual and reports to the Board of Supervisors. Penalties can reach $5,000 per violation or three times certain unreported/excess amounts Los Angeles
Very detailed and complex; 13-page ordinance with multiple classifications, such as lobbyist, lobbying firm, individual contract lobbyist, lobbyist employer, and major filer Persons compensated for lobbying activity involving direct communications to influence municipal legislation; definition also encompasses preparation, strategy advice, research, third-party advocacy, PR/community relations, and monitoring meetings At least $4,000 per quarter in compensation for lobbying activities. Unpaid lobbying is not covered Annual registration; $300 base fee plus $50 per client if the lobbyist receives or becomes entitled to receive at least $250 from that client in a quarter. Amendments due within 10 days of changes; termination statement due within 20 days of ceasing covered activity Quarterly reports required
Clients, matters lobbied, compensation, agencies targeted, activity expenses of $25 or more, contributions of $100 or more, campaign consulting, city-contract consulting, and other information required by the Ethics Commission No explicit exemption for corporate employees lobbying for their own company. In practice, the Ethics Commission reportedly considers frequency of contact and compensation attributable to lobbying Los Angeles Ethics Commission administers the program; mandatory information session at least every two years. Civil penalties up to $2,000 per violation and $500 for late filing