As used in this chapter:
The term "agency" has the meaning given that term in section 551(1) of title 5.
The term "client" means any person or entity that employs or retains another person for financial or other compensation to conduct lobbying activities on behalf of that person or entity. A person or entity whose employees act as lobbyists on its own behalf is both a client and an employer of such employees. In the case of a coalition or association that employs or retains other persons to conduct lobbying activities, the client is the coalition or association and not its individual members.
The term "covered executive branch official" means-
The term "covered legislative branch official" means-
The term "employee" means any individual who is an officer, employee, partner, director, or proprietor of a person or entity, but does not include-
The term "foreign entity" means a foreign principal (as defined in section 1(b) of the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 ( 22 U.S.C. 611(b) ).
The term "lobbying activities" means lobbying contacts and efforts in support of such contacts, including preparation and planning activities, research and other background work that is intended, at the time it is performed, for use in contacts, and coordination with the lobbying activities of others.
The term "lobbying contact" means any oral or written communication (including an electronic communication) to a covered executive branch official or a covered legislative branch official that is made on behalf of a client with regard to-
The term "lobbying contact" does not include a communication that is-
if that agency is charged with responsibility for such proceeding, inquiry, investigation, or filing;
with respect to the formulation, modification, or adoption of private legislation for the relief of that individual;
relating to the regulatory responsibilities of such organization under that Act.
The term "lobbying firm" means a person or entity that has 1 or more employees who are lobbyists on behalf of a client other than that person or entity. The term also includes a self-employed individual who is a lobbyist.
The term "lobbyist" means any individual who is employed or retained by a client for financial or other compensation for services that include more than one lobbying contact, other than an individual whose lobbying activities constitute less than 20 percent of the time engaged in the services provided by such individual to that client over a 3-month period.
The term "media organization" means a person or entity engaged in disseminating information to the general public through a newspaper, magazine, other publication, radio, television, cable television, or other medium of mass communication.
The term "Member of Congress" means a Senator or a Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress.
The term "organization" means a person or entity other than an individual.
The term "person or entity" means any individual, corporation, company, foundation, association, labor organization, firm, partnership, society, joint stock company, group of organizations, or State or local government.
The term "public official" means any elected official, appointed official, or employee of-
The term "State" means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, and any commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States.
1 So in original. A closing parenthesis probably should precede the semicolon.
2 U.S.C. § 1602
EDITORIAL NOTES
REFERENCES IN TEXTThis chapter, referred to in text, was in the original "this Act" meaning Pub. L. 104-65, 109 Stat. 691, known as the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1601 of this title and Tables.Levels I, II, III, IV, and V of the Executive Schedule, referred to in par. (3)(D), are set out in sections 5312, 5313, 5314, 5315, and 5316, respectively, of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.The Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, referred to in par. (8)(B)(iv), is act June 8, 1938, ch. 327, 52 Stat. 631, which is classified generally to subchapter II (§611 et seq.) of chapter 11 of Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 611 of Title 22 and Tables. The Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989, referred to in par. (8)(B)(xvii), is Pub. L. 101-12, 103 Stat. 16, which enacted subchapters II [ 5 U.S.C. 1211 et seq.] and III [ 5 U.S.C. 1221 et seq.] of chapter 12 and section 3352 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, amended sections 1201 to 1206, 1209, 1211, 2302, 2303, 3393, 7502, 7512, 7521, 7542, 7701, and 7703 of Title 5 and section 4139 of Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse, repealed sections 1207 and 1208 of Title 5, and enacted provisions set out as notes under sections 1201, 1211, and 5509 of Title 5. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1989 Amendment note set out under section 1201 of Title 5 and Tables. The Securities Exchange Act, referred to in par. (8)(B)(xix), probably means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, act June 6, 1934, ch. 404, 48 Stat. 881, which is classified principally to chapter 2B (§78a et seq.) of Title 15, Commerce and Trade. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 78a of Title 15 and Tables.The Commodity Exchange Act, referred to in par. (8)(B)(xix), is act Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, 42 Stat. 998, which is classified generally to chapter 1 (§1 et seq.) of Title 7, Agriculture. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 1 of Title 7 and Tables.
AMENDMENTS2022-Par. (4)(D). Pub. L. 117-286, §4(c)(3), substituted "section 13101(13) of title 5." for "section 109(13) of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.)."Par. (8)(B)(vi). Pub. L. 117-286, §4(a)(2), substituted "chapter 10 of title 5;" for "the Federal Advisory Committee Act;".Par. (8)(B)(xvii). Pub. L. 117-286, §4(b)(2), substituted "chapter 4 of title 5," for "the Inspector General Act of 1978,".2007-Par. (10). Pub. L. 110-81 substituted "3-month period" for "six month period". 1998-Par. (3)(F). Pub. L. 105-166, §2, substituted "7511(b)(2)(B)" for "7511(b)(2)".Par. (8)(B)(ix). Pub. L. 105-166, §3(a), inserted before semicolon at end ", including any communication compelled by a Federal contract, grant, loan, permit, or license". Par. (15)(F). Pub. L. 105-166, §3(b), inserted before period at end ", or a group of governments acting together as an international organization".
STATUTORY NOTES AND RELATED SUBSIDIARIES
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2007 AMENDMENT Except as otherwise provided, amendment by Pub. L. 110-81 applicable with respect to registrations under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (this chapter) having an effective date of Jan. 1, 2008, or later and with respect to quarterly reports under that Act covering calendar quarters beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2008, see section 215 of Pub. L. 110-81 set out as a note under section 30104 of Title 52, Voting and Elections.
EFFECTIVE DATESection effective Jan. 1, 1996, see section 24 of Pub. L. 104-65 set out as a note under section 1601 of this title.