Lobbying Disclosure Information Manual - Fair Political Practices ...

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Chapter 3 — Registration and Termination Statutory and Regulatory References Statutes 8956 86100 86101 86102 86103 86104 86105 86106 86107 86108 86109 Ethics Training Courses Registration Registration; Time Registration Fees Lobbyist Certification; Requirements Lobbying Firm; Registration Requirements Lobbyist Employer; Registration Requirements Renewal of Registration Registration Statement; Amendment; Termination Registration Statement; Publication Directory of Lobbyists, Lobbying Firms, and Lobbyist Employers 86109.5 Directory of Lobbyists, Lobbying Firms, and Lobbyist Employers; Online Version 86118 Lobbying Reports; Where to File Regulation 18601 Withdrawal of Lobbyist Certification or Lobbying Firm Registration Fair Political Practices Commission 3-12 Lobbying Manual, 7/2005
Chapter 4 Gifts and Other Activity Expenses Activity Expenses Among other things, lobbyists, lobbying firms, lobbyist employers/lobbying coalitions, and $5,000 filers are required to disclose activity expenses, i.e., payments which benefit the persons identified below under “Definition of Activity Expense.” This section provides guidance on reporting activity expenses, the most common of which are gifts (e.g., food, beverages, flowers). However, activity expenses also include any form of compensation, such as consulting fees and salaries. Complying with the Act’s provisions regulating activity expenses often depends upon the nature of the particular event or activity. This section provides guidance for the more commonly asked questions regarding activity expenses. Do not rely on the examples alone to ensure compliance with the Act. For reference, several regulations relating to activity expenses have been reproduced and are included in Appendix 1. Detailed reporting, notice requirements, and gift limits are discussed below. Also discussed are the exceptions that apply to both reporting requirements and to the gift limits. Definition of Activity Expense An “activity expense” is any payment that benefits, in whole or in part: • An elected state officer; • A legislative official; • A state agency official; • A state candidate; or • A member of the immediate family of such officials or candidates (i.e., spouse and dependent children). 1-866-ASK-FPPC Chapter 4 — Gifts and Other Activity Expenses A payment that benefits a state agency official or member of an agency official’s immediate family is an activity expense only if the agency that employs the official is, or should be, listed on the donor’s lobbying registration statement. This manual refers to an “agency official” and a “member of an agency official’s immediate family” as “reportable persons.” Report activity expenses during the period in which they occurred, regardless of whether the expenses were actually paid during the period. All activity expenses must be reported whether or not lobbying occurs at the time of the event. Examples While awaiting the arrival of their respective airplanes, lobbyist Kathy Taylor purchases a cup of coffee for Senator Jim Smith. Even though they only engage in social conversation, the beverage is an activity expense that must be reported on Kathy’s Form 615. Colleen Jones is a lobbyist for the Olson Corporation. She only lobbies legislation affecting labor relations issues before the California Legislature. Colleen invited Mary Ann Ward, a state official with the Department of Water Resources, to breakfast. Because Colleen does not lobby the Department of Water Resources, the payment for Mary Ann’s breakfast is not a reportable activity expense. Tomas & Winters is a law firm and a lobbying firm. Geneva is a lobbyist registered with Tomas & Winters to lobby the legislature. Recyclers United is a client of the law firm but is not a lobbyist employer. Recyclers United asks Geneva to set up a luncheon meeting with some legislative staff members. Even though Recyclers United is not a Fair Political Practices Commission 4-1 Lobbying Manual, 7/2005
Page 1 and 2: Lobbying Disclosure Information Man
Page 3 and 4: Introduction California’s Politic
Page 5 and 6: Chapter 1 Who Must File This chapte
Page 7 and 8: Generally, a lobbyist is categorize
Page 9 and 10: -- The individual is a lobbyist com
Page 11 and 12: companies will qualify as a “$5,0
Page 13 and 14: Statutory and Regulatory References
Page 15 and 16: Chapter 2 — Where and When to Fil
Page 17 and 18: Chapter 2 — Where and When to Fil
Page 19 and 20: Chapter 3 Registration and Terminat
Page 21 and 22: Filing Deadlines: New Lobbyist: •
Page 23 and 24: How to Complete Form 601 The Lobbyi
Page 25 and 26: Lobbyist Employer and Lobbying Coal
Page 27 and 28: Lobbyist Employer Deleting a Lobbyi
Page 29: Chapter 3 — Registration and Term
Page 33 and 34: • Acts as an intermediary in conn
Page 35 and 36: • Designated employees of state a
Page 37 and 38: Personalized Plaques and Trophies V
Page 39 and 40: • If the guest of an official sta
Page 41 and 42: attend a training program. Because
Page 43 and 44: 18946.2 Reporting and Valuation of
Page 45 and 46: Chapter 5 — Quarterly Disclosure
Page 59 and 60: Chapter 6 Recordkeeping A recordkee
Page 61 and 62: • The amount of the contribution;
Page 63 and 64: − Payments to a law firm for draf
Page 65 and 66: Audits Lobbying firms and lobbyist
Page 67 and 68: Chapter 7 — Restrictions • Dana
Page 69 and 70: Chapter 7 — Restrictions professi
Page 71 and 72: Chapter 7 — Restrictions 85303 85
Page 73 and 74: Appendix 1 — Definitions inquirie
Page 75 and 76: Appendix 1 — Definitions Gift (Se
Page 77 and 78: Appendix 1 — Definitions institut
Page 79 and 80: Appendix 1 — Definitions lobbyist
Page 81 and 82:
Appendix 1 — Definitions elected
Page 83 and 84:
Appendix 2 About the Political Refo
Page 85:
Cal-Online Help Desk (Electronic Fi
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