Lobbyist Registration Instructions
Who Must Register
A lobbyist is someone paid to try to influence legislative or administrative action. They must register within five working days of their first lobbying communication. See the lobbying ordinance for definitions and exemptions.
Registration Form
Register using the Licenses & Permits portal. If you don't have an account, you will need to create one. Otherwise, send a paper Registration Form PDF to the Clerk's Office. Each lobbyist needs a separate registration for each principal they represent.
The form asks about:
- The lobbyist
- Who is paying the lobbyist
- What they're lobbying about
- Permission to lobby for the principal
- The form being true and correct
Registration Term
Registrations start when filed with the Clerk's Office. They expire on December 31.
To terminate a registration, file a cessation statement and a final expense statement. You may file both using the Licenses & Permits portal.
Expense Statements
Expense statements are due on July 31 and January 31. A principal whose lobbying expenditures or obligations exceed $1,000 during a reporting period must file expense statements for the rest of that year.
Penalties For Not Registering
- A lobbyist who violates this ordinance may be fined up to $5,000.
- A principal who violates this ordinance may be fined up to $1,000.
- A person who falsifies information may be fined up to $1,000. This is in addition to any fines imposed under any other section of the ordinance.
- A person who files a false statement or causes a false statement to be filed may be fined up to $1,000. This is in addition to any fines imposed under any other section of the ordinance.
- A principal, lobbyist or other individual acting on behalf of a principal who files a statement that they do not believe to be true may be fined up to $1,000. This is in addition to any fines imposed under any other section of the ordinance.