Policy Agenda

Lobbying and Ethics Reform

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW...

In September 2007, President Bush signed into law the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007 (HLOGA) which amended the federal Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995. In addition to lowering the lobbying registration threshold and changing the reporting requirements to quarterly, the law also adds a semiannual requirement that lobbyists report their political contributions and requires organizations to certify that their lobbyists comply with the Congressional ethics and gift rules.
» Read a brief overview of the Law

The Secretary of the Senate and Clerk of the House has issued guidance on the scope and breadth of these changes to federal lobbying disclosure.  The Secretary and Clerk do not have any authority to issue regulations interpreting HLOGA.  In lieu of regulations, their guidance is critical to an organization's compliance and understanding of their new obligations which went into effect on January 1, 2008. 
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OTHER POLICY AGENDA ITEMS

POLICY POSITION
Political Campaign Activity on the Internet IRS releases memo that describes how revenue agents, when examining cases involving alleged campaign intervention by 501(c)(3) organizations, should treat Internet activities.
Lobby and Ethics Reform: Lobbyist Disclosure Recent guidance clarifies what it means to “honor or recognize” Members of Congress or covered Executive Branch officials for purposes of disclosure on LD-203
Lobby and Ethics Reform: Form LD-203 LD-203, the form used to disclose contributions and certify compliance with the congressional gift and travel rules, is due by July 30, 2008
IRS Form 990-N Annual Electronic Filing Requirement for Small Nonprofits
Electioneering Communications FEC adopted regulations that implement the Supreme Court decision in FEC v. Wisconsin Right to Life
Campaign Finance Reform U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia struck down BCRA regulations
501(c)(3) Election Year Activities IRS provides limited guidance on election-year activities for 501(c)(3)s