1. What is a Lobbyist?
August 31, 2015

2. Why do we have to know this?
SSCG11 The student will describe the influence of lobbyists (business, labor, professional organizations) and special interest groups on the legislative process.
a. Explain the function of lobbyists.
b. Describe the laws and rules that govern lobbyists.
c. Explain the function of special interest groups.

3. Function of a Lobbyist
Lobbying is the act of attempting to influence decisions made by officials in a government, most often legislators or members of regulatory agencies.
What do you think?

4. What is their job?
Also known as public affairs consultants their job entails a lot
- designing, writing and producing press releases, articles, leaflets, newsletters and reports
- organising meetings
- attending events such as party conferences and select committee hearings
- analysing information sources produced by the European Commission, government departments, Hansard, non-government organisations (NGOs) and think tanks
- providing clients with information about developments in their field
- responding to information requests
- offering strategic advice to clients
- communicating with relevant official bodies
- liaising with civil servants, politicians, regulatory body and local authority staff

5. Lobbyist must not
Contribute to or raise public funds for any candidate for elective office. Candidates also are prohibited from accepting such funds;
Make gifts to any one state official aggregating more than $10 in any calendar month;
Do anything for the purpose of placing a state official under personal obligation to the lobbyist or the lobbyist’s employer;
Deceive or attempt to deceive a state official with regard to any material fact pertinent to legislative or administrative action or create any fictitious appearance of public favor or disfavor of any proposed legislative or administrative action;
Represent falsely, either directly or indirectly, that the lobbyist can control the official action of any state officer;
Enter into any “contingent fee” or bonus agreement with a lobbyist that makes payment to the lobbyist contingent on success;
Spend public funds in support of or in opposition to ballot measure campaigns; or
Spend public funds to engage in grassroots lobbying efforts.

6. Special Interest Groups
A community within a larger organization with a shared interest in advancing a specific area of knowledge, learning or technology where members cooperate to affect or to produce solutions within their particular field, and may communicate, meet, and organize conferences.