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Presentation to Alaska Bar May 17, 2013 Ashley Bailey (202) 624-2732 abailey@crowell.com
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Federal Lobbyist Disclosure Requirements __________________________________________________ The Lobbying Disclosure Act & Honest Leadership and Open Government Act 2
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Organization Lobbying On Own Behalf Organizations with at least one in-house employee who qualifies as a lobbyist under the LDA if the organization spends at least $12,500 in a calendar quarter on lobbying activities Lobbying Firm Lobbying firms with at least one employee or principal who qualifies as a lobbyist under the LDA if the firm receives more than $3,000 in a calendar quarter from the same client for lobbying work Includes law firms with in-house lobbying shops and sole proprietorships 3
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(1)Individual employed for financial compensation; (2)Who makes more than one lobbying contact on behalf of his/her employer or client to covered executive or legislative branch officials during any period of time; AND (3)Has devoted at least 20 percent of his or her time in any three-month period to lobbying activities (e.g., researching, drafting talking points, and all other work in preparation to make lobbying contacts). If any one criteria is missing, the employee is not a lobbyist under the LDA. 4
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Communication to a covered official with regard to any of the following: The formulation, modification, or adoption of – – federal legislation – federal rule – regulation – executive order – or any other program, policy, or position of the U.S. government The administration or execution of a federal program or policy (including awards of contracts, grants, licenses, etc.) The nomination or confirmation of an individual to an office requiring Senate confirmation 5
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Public speeches and publications Administrative requests that do not include an attempt to influence Congressional testimony Information provided in writing at the request of a covered official * There are 19 exceptions at 2 U.S.C. § 1602(8)(B). 6
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Contacts made on behalf of an individual with regard to the individual’s benefits, employment, or other personal matters. Excludes requests for private legislation if they are made to officials other than the individual’s elected Members of Congress and their staffs Responses to notices in the Federal Register or similar publication soliciting comments from the public and written comments filed in a public proceeding Communications made to an agency official in regard to a judicial proceeding or civil/criminal law enforcement inquiry or investigation 7
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Members and Elected Officers of Congress Employees of Members of Congress, of congressional committees, and of working groups and caucuses organized by Congress Legislative branch employees serving in a position described in the Ethics in Government Act (e.g., certain employees of the Library of Congress, Government Accountability Office, Congressional Budget Office). 8
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The President and Vice-President Employees in the Executive Office of the President Employees at levels I - V on the Executive Schedule Members of the uniform services at grade 0-7 or above Employees serving in a confidential, policy- making capacity, covered by 5 U.S.C. § 7511(b)(2)(B) (i.e., Schedule C political appointees). 9
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Organization or Lobbying Firm Lobbying Registration (LD-1 Form) Due within 45 days of being employed or retained to make at least two lobbying contacts for an employer or client (assuming the 20% of time threshold is satisfied). Quarterly Lobbying Reports (LD-2 Form) Due April 20, July 20, October 20, January 20 Semi-Annual Contribution Report (LD-203) Due July 30 and January 30 Individual Lobbyist Personal Semi-Annual Contribution Report (LD-203) Due July 30 and January 30 10
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Lobbying Income (Lobbying Firms) Lobbying Expenses (Other Organizations) Lobbying-related travel costs Lobbying-related research fees Lobbying-related printing/graphics fees Fees to hire outside lobbyists A portion of the income of persons engaged in lobbying A portion of overhead related to lobbying 11
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LDA Method (Method A) Uses LDA’s definition of lobbying Tax Code Methods (Methods B & C) Method B - for tax-exempt organizations Method C - for taxable businesses and trade associations Permits use of IRC definitions for type of organization involved Not available for lobbying firms. 12
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For each issue area – Describe the issue (not just bill numbers) Houses of Congress and agencies lobbied Name of individual lobbyist who lobbied on the issue Indicate whether individual held a covered legislative or executive branch position within the 20 years preceding the representation. 13
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Indentify any foreign entity that – Holds at least a 20% ownership interest in the client or in any affiliate of the client that contributes more than $5,000 to the lobbying effort and “actively participates” in, or in “major part” plans, supervises, or controls the registrant’s lobbying activities OR Directly or indirectly, in whole or major part, plans, supervises, controls, directs, finances, or subsidizes the activities of the client OR Is an affiliate of either the client, or an organization affiliated with the client identified on Line 13 or 14 of Form LD-1 and has a direct interest in the outcome of the lobbying activity. 14
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Names of political committees established or controlled by the filer (corporations indentify corporate PAC) Contributions to federal candidates, leadership PACs, and party committees Expenditures for events in honor of covered officials Funding of meetings/retreats held by covered officials Funds paid to an entity named for a covered legislative branch official or in recognition of such official Funds paid to an entity established, financed, maintained, or controlled by a covered legislative or executive branch official or to an entity designated by such official Donations to presidential libraries and inaugural committees 15
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Required Certification Have read and are familiar with the House and Senate gift and travel rules Have not provided, requested, or directed a gift, including travel, to a congressional member or employee with knowledge that acceptance of the gift would violate the House or Senate rules 16
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Terminate lobbyists on the LD-2 update page if they no longer lobby for the client. If lobbying for a foreign government or foreign political party, register with DOJ under the Foreign Agents Registration Act. If lobbying with respect to a federal award (e.g., government contract, federal grant, or direct appropriation from Congress), client may have a disclosure obligation under the Byrd Amendment. 17
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http://lobbyingdisclosure.house.gov/ http://www.gpoaccess.gov/plumbook/ http://ethics.house.gov/Pubs/Default.aspx http://ethics.senate.gov/public/ 18
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