Informative resources on lobbying activities in the US
- For-profit and non-profit organizations sometimes wish to influence public policies, rules, or decisions, and engage in lobbying.
- This may be in the context of an election or otherwise.
- For example, this may be to influence the development of a law, regulation, or government policy.
- In-house counsel are in a key position to help their organization navigate the rules applicable to lobbying.
- Various rules apply in the US, such as registration and disclosure requirements.
- Among other issues, not-for profit organizations need to consider the potential tax implications of such activities.
Context: In the News
- AP News: Nonprofits are lobbying a lot less than two decades ago, according to new research, Alex Daniels (The Chronicle of Philanthropy)
Sample Agreement
- Sample contract: Model Lobbying Services Agreement for Associations, by Venable LLP
Definitions of "lobbying"
- "Lobbying" is defined at the federal and state levels.
- Learn the federal definition under the Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA): What is Lobbying under the LDA? An overview by Ronald M. Jacobs, Lawrence H. Norton, Cristina I. Vessels, Venable LLP
- Learn How states define lobbying and lobbyists, by the National Conference of State Legislatures
- Learn how the IRS (US Internal Revenue Service) describes lobbying by non-profit organizations: Lobbying.
Federal Disclosure Rules
- Lobbying Disclosure Act Guidance, by the Office of the Clerk, US House of Representatives
- Lobbying Disclosure Act Registration and Reporting for Organizations Contacting Congress, by Rebecca H. Gordon, Perkins Coie
State Disclosure Rules
- Navigating the Maze of State and Local Lobbying Laws, by Emily B. Erlingsson, Pillsbury (article originally published by the American Society of Association Executives)
- Ethics Legislation Database, by the National Conference of State Legislatures
- California: Campaign Finance and Lobbying Activity, California Secretary of State
- Texas: Lobbying Resources, by the Texas Ethics Commission
- Illinois: Lobbyist Registration and Reporting System, The Office of the Illinois Secretary of State
- Pennsylvania: Lobbying Disclosure website, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
- New York: Lobbying Overview, New York State Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government
- Massachusetts: Lobbying FAQs, Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Region:
United States
The information in any resource collected in this virtual library should not be construed as legal advice or legal opinion on specific facts and should not be considered representative of the views of its authors, its sponsors, and/or ACC. These resources are not intended as a definitive statement on the subject addressed. Rather, they are intended to serve as a tool providing practical advice and references for the busy in-house practitioner and other readers.