CC 07-06-23 Item #13 Lobbying Ordinance_Staff PresentationJuly 6, 2023Lobbyist Registration Ordinance
Background●Feb. 2021: Council adopts Lobbyist Registration Ordinance (CMC 2.100)●Jul. 2022: LWVCS files lawsuit●May 2023: Court grants City’s motion to dismiss●Jul. 2023: Council considers proposed amendments to ordinance
Proposed Ordinance Amendments●Section 2.100.030: Revises the definitions of Lobbying and Lobbyist, including the deletion of the registration requirements for “Expenditure Lobbyists”●Section 2.100.031: ●Incorporates the current Section 2.100.030(p) (“Exemptions”) as a new section●Revises exemptions for Organization Lobbyist ●Clarifies exemption for media activities●Expands and simplifies exemptions for nonprofit organizations
Proposed Ordinance Amendments●Section 2.100.090: Revises information requirements for registration and clarifies the requirement for reporting contacts with City Officials●Section 2.100.100: Replaces quarterly reporting requirements with semi-annual reporting●Section 2.100.130: Adds knowledge or willfulness requirement for violations of ordinance
Proposed Ordinance Amendments●Section 2.100.150: Adds a reference to administrative enforcement provisions of the Municipal Code●Section 2.100.170: Deletes practice restrictions section of current ordinance●Other revisions for clarity, internal consistency, and gender neutrality
Optional Language●Section 2.100.030:●Option A: Retain the existing $1,000 threshold compensation for registration as a Contract Lobbyist●Option B: Increase the threshold compensation to $5,000
Optional Language●Section 2.100.130:●Option A: Revise prohibitions in the City ordinance to conform with state law prohibitions●Option B: Do not incorporate state law provisions into ordinance; delete current Sections 2.100.130(b), (d), and (e)
Recommended Action●Conduct a first reading of Ordinance No. 23-2249 (amending Municipal Code Chapter 2.100, Regulation of Lobbying Activities)
Questions?