Lobbyist Registration, Reporting and Disclosure Requirements

The following is a general summary of Ordinance No. 2020-3 and any Lobbyist should review the entire ordinance to ensure compliance:

1. Registration: All lobbyists who engage in lobbying activities will be required to register with the City Clerk (rather than Orange County Campaign Finance and Ethics Commission) within ten days of qualifying as a lobbyist and within ten days of the annual anniversary of the lobbyist’s initial registration, if the lobbyist continues to qualify as a lobbyist (see Ordinance No. 2020-3 for definition of "Lobbyist" and "Lobbying Activities")

2. Registration Form: The lobbyist registration form will be made available on the City Clerk’s webpage and requires the lobbyist to provide: (1) the full name, business address and telephone number of the lobbyist, the lobbyist’s employees who are engaging in lobbying activities, and the lobbyist’s clients; (2) the specific matter for which they will be providing lobbying services; and (3) the date and amount of all campaign contributions to any candidate or candidate’s controlled committee that the lobbyist has made within the past 12 months. In addition, the lobbyist will be required to amend the registration form within ten days if there is a change in this information. To encourage compliance with this ordinance and to help the City accurately determine the appropriate cost, no registration fee would be required the first year.

3. Identification of Clients: Lobbyists will be required to identify their clients when appearing at public meetings, as well as when contacting City representatives.

4. Prohibited Acts: Lobbyists are prohibited from intentionally deceiving City representatives, representing they can control the vote or action of a City representative, or doing anything to place a City representative under personal obligation to the lobbyist or the lobbyist’s client.

5. Penalties: Violations of the ordinance will result in the City Clerk posting on the City’s website the name of the lobbyists who have paid fines for violating the ordinance within the previous two years. Lobbyists who unintentionally violate the ordinance will pay fines of up to $50.00 for the first violation; up to $500.00 for the second violation within one year from the date of a prior violation; and up to $1,000.00 for a third violation, or any subsequent violation, within one year from the date of the prior violations. In addition, any person who knowingly violates the ordinance will be subject to civil penalties of up to $5,000.00 for each violation.

Filing Information and Lobbyist Registration Form

Search: Lobbyist Filing System

Search: Campaign Finance Disclosure