LOBBYING DISCLOSURE ACT OF 1995
LOBBYING DISCLOSURE ACT OF 1995
117–286
Statute Compilation
United States House of Representatives
Office of the Legislative Counsel
text/xml
EN
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Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995
902
104
1995-12-19
LOBBYING DISCLOSURE ACT OF 19951
[As Amended Through P.L. 117–286, Enacted December 27, 2022]
[Currency: This publication is a compilation of the text of Public Law 104–65. It was last amended by the public law listed in the As Amended Through note above and below at the bottom of each page of the pdf version and reflects current law through the date of the enactment of the public law listed at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/comps/]
[Note: While this publication does not represent an official version of any Federal statute, substantial efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of its contents. The official version of Federal law is found in the United States Statutes at Large and in the United States Code. The legal effect to be given to the Statutes at Large and the United States Code is established by statute (1 U.S.C. 112, 204).]

AN ACT
To provide for the disclosure of lobbying activities to influence the Federal Government, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1.
[2 U.S.C. 1601 note]

SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the “Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995”.
^1
Title II of Public Law 110–81 provides for amendments to the Lobby Discolusure Act of 1995. Section 215 of such Public Law provides:
SEC. 215. EFFECTIVE DATE.
Except as otherwise provided in sections 203, 204, 206, 211, 212, and 213, the amendments made by this title shall apply with respect to registrations under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 having an effective date of January 1, 2008, or later and with respect to quarterly reports under that Act covering calendar quarters beginning on or after January 1, 2008.
SEC. 2.
[2 U.S.C. 1601]

FINDINGS.
The Congress finds that—
(1)
responsible representative Government requires public awareness of the efforts of paid lobbyists to influence the public decisionmaking process in both the legislative and executive branches of the Federal Government;
(2)
existing lobbying disclosure statutes have been ineffective because of unclear statutory language, weak administrative and enforcement provisions, and an absence of clear guidance as to who is required to register and what they are required to disclose; and
(3)
the effective public disclosure of the identity and extent of the efforts of paid lobbyists to influence Federal officials in the conduct of Government actions will increase public confidence in the integrity of Government.
SEC. 3.
[2 U.S.C. 1602]

DEFINITIONS.
As used in this Act:
(1)

Agency.—
The term “agency” has the meaning given that term in section 551(1) of title 5, United States Code.
(2)

Client.—
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.
(3)

Covered executive branch official.—
The term “covered executive branch official” means—
(A)
the President;
(B)
the Vice President;
(C)
any officer or employee, or any other individual functioning in the capacity of such an officer or employee, in the Executive Office of the President;
(D)
any officer or employee serving in a position in level I, II, III, IV, or V of the Executive Schedule, as designated by statute or Executive order;
(E)
any member of the uniformed services whose pay grade is at or above O–7 under section 201 of title 37, United States Code; and
(F)
any officer or employee serving in a position of a confidential, policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating character described in section 7511(b)(2)(B) of title 5, United States Code.
(4)

Covered legislative branch official.—
The term “covered legislative branch official” means—
(A)
a Member of Congress;
(B)
an elected officer of either House of Congress;
(C)
any employee of, or any other individual functioning in the capacity of an employee of—
(i)
a Member of Congress;
(ii)
a committee of either House of Congress;
(iii)
the leadership staff of the House of Representatives or the leadership staff of the Senate;
(iv)
a joint committee of Congress; and
(v)
a working group or caucus organized to provide legislative services or other assistance to Members of Congress; and
(D)
any other legislative branch employee serving in a position described under section 13101(13) of title 5, United States Code.
(5)

Employee.—
The term “employee” means any individual who is an officer, employee, partner, director, or proprietor of a person or entity, but does not include—
(A)
independent contractors; or
(B)
volunteers who receive no financial or other compensation from the person or entity for their services.
(6)

Foreign entity.—
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)).
(7)

Lobbying activities.—
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.
(8)

Lobbying contact.—
(A)

Definition.—
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—
(i)
the formulation, modification, or adoption of Federal legislation (including legislative proposals);
(ii)
the formulation, modification, or adoption of a Federal rule, regulation, Executive order, or any other program, policy, or position of the United States Government;
(iii)
the administration or execution of a Federal program or policy (including the negotiation, award, or administration of a Federal contract, grant, loan, permit, or license); or
(iv)
the nomination or confirmation of a person for a position subject to confirmation by the Senate.
(B)

Exceptions.—
The term “lobbying contact” does not include a communication that is—
(i)
made by a public official acting in the public official's official capacity;
(ii)
made by a representative of a media organization if the purpose of the communication is gathering and disseminating news and information to the public;
(iii)
made in a speech, article, publication or other material that is distributed and made available to the public, or through radio, television, cable television, or other medium of mass communication;
(iv)
made on behalf of a government of a foreign country or a foreign political party and disclosed under the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 (22 U.S.C. 611 et seq.);
(v)
a request for a meeting, a request for the status of an action, or any other similar administrative request, if the request does not include an attempt to influence a covered executive branch official or a covered legislative branch official;
(vi)
made in the course of participation in an advisory committee subject to chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code;
(vii)
testimony given before a committee, subcommittee, or task force of the Congress, or submitted for inclusion in the public record of a hearing conducted by such committee, subcommittee, or task force;
(viii)
information provided in writing in response to an oral or written request by a covered executive branch official or a covered legislative branch official for specific information;
(ix)
required by subpoena, civil investigative demand, or otherwise compelled by statute, regulation, or other action of the Congress or an agency, including any communication compelled by a Federal contract, grant, loan, permit, or license;
(x)
made in response to a notice in the Federal Register, Commerce Business Daily, or other similar publication soliciting communications from the public and directed to the agency official specifically designated in the notice to receive such communications;
(xi)
not possible to report without disclosing information, the unauthorized disclosure of which is prohibited by law;
(xii)
made to an official in an agency with regard to—
(I)
a judicial proceeding or a criminal or civil law enforcement inquiry, investigation, or proceeding; or
(II)
a filing or proceeding that the Government is specifically required by statute or regulation to maintain or conduct on a confidential basis,
if that agency is charged with responsibility for such proceeding, inquiry, investigation, or filing;
(xiii)
made in compliance with written agency procedures regarding an adjudication conducted by the agency under section 554 of title 5, United States Code, or substantially similar provisions;
(xiv)
a written comment filed in the course of a public proceeding or any other communication that is made on the record in a public proceeding;
(xv)
a petition for agency action made in writing and required to be a matter of public record pursuant to established agency procedures;
(xvi)
made on behalf of an individual with regard to that individual's benefits, employment, or other personal matters involving only that individual, except that this clause does not apply to any communication with—
(I)
a covered executive branch official, or
(II)
a covered legislative branch official (other than the individual's elected Members of Congress or employees who work under such Members' direct supervision),
with respect to the formulation, modification, or adoption of private legislation for the relief of that individual;
(xvii)
a disclosure by an individual that is protected under the amendments made by the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989, under chapter 4 of title 5, United States Code, or under another provision of law;
(xviii)
made by—
(I)
a church, its integrated auxiliary, or a convention or association of churches that is exempt from filing a Federal income tax return under paragraph 2(A)(i) of section 6033(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or
(II)
a religious order that is exempt from filing a Federal income tax return under paragraph (2)(A)(iii) of such section 6033(a); and
(xix)
between—
(I)
officials of a self-regulatory organization (as defined in section 3(a)(26) of the Securities Exchange Act) that is registered with or established by the Securities and Exchange Commission as required by that Act or a similar organization that is designated by or registered with the Commodities Future Trading Commission as provided under the Commodity Exchange Act; and
(II)
the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Commodities Future Trading Commission, respectively;
relating to the regulatory responsibilities of such organization under that Act.
(9)

Lobbying firm.—
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.
(10)

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.
(11)

Media organization.—
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.
(12)

Member of congress.—
The term “Member of Congress” means a Senator or a Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress.
(13)

Organization.—
The term “organization” means a person or entity other than an individual.
(14)

Person or entity.—
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.
(15)

Public official.—
The term “public official” means any elected official, appointed official, or employee of—
(A)
a Federal, State, or local unit of government in the United States other than—
(i)
a college or university;
(ii)
a government-sponsored enterprise (as defined in section 3(8) of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974);
(iii)
a public utility that provides gas, electricity, water, or communications;
(iv)
a guaranty agency (as defined in section 435(j) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1085(j))), including any affiliate of such an agency; or
(v)
an agency of any State functioning as a student loan secondary market pursuant to section 435(d)(1)(F) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1085(d)(1)(F));
(B)
a Government corporation (as defined in section 9101 of title 31, United States Code);
(C)
an organization of State or local elected or appointed officials other than officials of an entity described in clause (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), or (v) of subparagraph (A);
(D)
an Indian tribe (as defined in section 4(e) of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b(e));
(E)
a national or State political party or any organizational unit thereof; or
(F)
a national, regional, or local unit of any foreign government, or a group of governments acting together as an international organization.
(16)

State.—
The term “State” means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, and any commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States.
SEC. 4.
[2 U.S.C. 1603]

REGISTRATION OF LOBBYISTS.
(a)

Registration.—
(1)

General rule.—
No later than 45 days after a lobbyist first makes a lobbying contact or is employed or retained to make a lobbying contact, whichever is earlier, or on the first business day after such 45th day if the 45th day is not a business day, such lobbyist (or, as provided under paragraph (2), the organization employing such lobbyist), shall register with the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives.
(2)

Employer filing.—
Any organization that has 1 or more employees who are lobbyists shall file a single registration under this section on behalf of such employees for each client on whose behalf the employees act as lobbyists.
(3)

Exemption.—
(A)

General rule.—
Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2), a person or entity whose—
(i)
total income for matters related to lobbying activities on behalf of a particular client (in the case of a lobbying firm) does not exceed and is not expected to exceed $2,500; or
(ii)
total expenses in connection with lobbying activities (in the case of an organization whose employees engage in lobbying activities on its own behalf) do not exceed or are not expected to exceed $10,000,
(as estimated under section 5) in the quarterly period described in section 5(a) during which the registration would be made is not required to register under subsection (a) with respect to such client.
(B)

Adjustment.—
The dollar amounts in subparagraph (A) shall be adjusted—
(i)
on January 1, 1997, to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index (as determined by the Secretary of Labor) since the date of enactment of this Act; and
(ii)
on January 1 of each fourth year occurring after January 1, 1997, to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index (as determined by the Secretary of Labor) during the preceding 4-year period,
rounded to the nearest $500.
(b)

Contents of Registration.—
Each registration under this section shall contain—
(1)
the name, address, business telephone number, and principal place of business of the registrant, and a general description of its business or activities;
(2)
the name, address, and principal place of business of the registrant's client, and a general description of its business or activities (if different from paragraph (1));
(3)
the name, address, and principal place of business of any organization, other than the client, that—
(A)
contributes more than $5,000 to the registrant or the client in the quarterly period to fund the lobbying activities of the registrant; and
(B)
actively participates in the planning, supervision, or control of such lobbying activities;
(4)
the name, address, principal place of business, amount of any contribution of more than $5,000 to the lobbying activities of the registrant, and approximate percentage of equitable ownership in the client (if any) of any foreign entity that—
(A)
holds at least 20 percent equitable ownership in the client or any organization identified under paragraph (3);
(B)
directly or indirectly, in whole or in major part, plans, supervises, controls, directs, finances, or subsidizes the activities of the client or any organization identified under paragraph (3); or
(C)
is an affiliate of the client or any organization identified under paragraph (3) and has a direct interest in the outcome of the lobbying activity;
(5)
a statement of—
(A)
the general issue areas in which the registrant expects to engage in lobbying activities on behalf of the client; and
(B)
to the extent practicable, specific issues that have (as of the date of the registration) already been addressed or are likely to be addressed in lobbying activities;
(6)
the name of each employee of the registrant who has acted or whom the registrant expects to act as a lobbyist on behalf of the client and, if any such employee has served as a covered executive branch official or a covered legislative branch official in the 20 years before the date on which the employee first acted as a lobbyist on behalf of the client, the position in which such employee served; and
(7)
for any listed lobbyist who was convicted in a Federal or State court of an offense involving bribery, extortion, embezzlement, an illegal kickback, tax evasion, fraud, a conflict of interest, making a false statement, perjury, or money laundering, the date of the conviction and a description of the offense.
No disclosure is required under paragraph (3)(B) if the organization that would be identified as affiliated with the client is listed on the client's publicly accessible Internet website as being a member of or contributor to the client, unless the organization in whole or in major part plans, supervises, or controls such lobbying activities. If a registrant relies upon the preceding sentence, the registrant must disclose the specific Internet address of the web page containing the information relied upon. Nothing in paragraph (3)(B) shall be construed to require the disclosure of any information about individuals who are members of, or donors to, an entity treated as a client by this Act or an organization identified under that paragraph.
(c)

Guidelines for Registration.—
(1)

Multiple clients.—
In the case of a registrant making lobbying contacts on behalf of more than 1 client, a separate registration under this section shall be filed for each such client.
(2)

Multiple contacts.—
A registrant who makes more than 1 lobbying contact for the same client shall file a single registration covering all such lobbying contacts.
(d)

Termination of Registration.—
A registrant who after registration—
(1)
is no longer employed or retained by a client to conduct lobbying activities, and
(2)
does not anticipate any additional lobbying activities for such client,
may so notify the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives and terminate its registration.
SEC. 5.
[2 U.S.C. 1604]

REPORTS BY REGISTERED LOBBYISTS.
(a)

Quarterly Report.—
No later than 20 days after the end of the quarterly period beginning on the first day of January, April, July, and October of each year in which a registrant is registered under section 4, or on the first business day after such 20th day if the 20th day is not a business day, each registrant shall file a report with the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives on its lobbying activities during such quarterly period. A separate report shall be filed for each client of the registrant.
(b)

Contents of Report.—
Each quarterly report filed under subsection (a) shall contain—
(1)
the name of the registrant, the name of the client, and any changes or updates to the information provided in the initial registration, including information under section 4(b)(3);
(2)
for each general issue area in which the registrant engaged in lobbying activities on behalf of the client during the quarterly period—
(A)
a list of the specific issues upon which a lobbyist employed by the registrant engaged in lobbying activities, including, to the maximum extent practicable, a list of bill numbers and references to specific executive branch actions;
(B)
a statement of the Houses of Congress and the Federal agencies contacted by lobbyists employed by the registrant on behalf of the client;
(C)
a list of the employees of the registrant who acted as lobbyists on behalf of the client; and
(D)
a description of the interest, if any, of any foreign entity identified under section 4(b)(4) in the specific issues listed under subparagraph (A);
(3)
in the case of a lobbying firm, a good faith estimate of the total amount of all income from the client (including any payments to the registrant by any other person for lobbying activities on behalf of the client) during the quarterly period, other than income for matters that are unrelated to lobbying activities;
(4)
in the case of a registrant engaged in lobbying activities on its own behalf, a good faith estimate of the total expenses that the registrant and its employees incurred in connection with lobbying activities during the quarterly period;
(5)
for each client, immediately after listing the client, an identification of whether the client is a State or local government or a department, agency, special purpose district, or other instrumentality controlled by one or more State or local governments; and
(6)
for any listed lobbyist who was convicted in a Federal or State court of an offense involving bribery, extortion, embezzlement, an illegal kickback, tax evasion, fraud, a conflict of interest, making a false statement, perjury, or money laundering, the date of the conviction and a description of the offense.
(c)

Estimates of Income or Expenses.—
For purposes of this section, estimates of income or expenses shall be made as follows:
(1)
Estimates of amounts in excess of $5,000 shall be rounded to the nearest $10,000.
(2)
In the event income or expenses do not exceed $5,000, the registrant shall include a statement that income or expenses totaled less than $5,000 for the reporting period.
(d)

Semiannual Reports on Certain Contributions.—
(1)

In general.—
Not later than 30 days after the end of the semiannual period beginning on the first day of January and July of each year, or on the first business day after such 30th day if the 30th day is not a business day, each person or organization who is registered or is required to register under paragraph (1) or (2) of section 4(a), and each employee who is or is required to be listed as a lobbyist under section 4(b)(6) or subsection (b)(2)(C) of this section, shall file a report with the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives containing—
(A)
the name of the person or organization;
(B)
in the case of an employee, his or her employer;
(C)
the names of all political committees established or controlled by the person or organization;
(D)
the name of each Federal candidate or officeholder, leadership PAC, or political party committee, to whom aggregate contributions equal to or exceeding $200 were made by the person or organization, or a political committee established or controlled by the person or organization within the semiannual period, and the date and amount of each such contribution made within the semiannual period;
(E)
the date, recipient, and amount of funds contributed or disbursed during the semiannual period by the person or organization or a political committee established or controlled by the person or organization—
(i)
to pay the cost of an event to honor or recognize a covered legislative branch official or covered executive branch official;
(ii)
to an entity that is named for a covered legislative branch official, or to a person or entity in recognition of such official;
(iii)
to an entity established, financed, maintained, or controlled by a covered legislative branch official or covered executive branch official, or an entity designated by such official; or
(iv)
to pay the costs of a meeting, retreat, conference, or other similar event held by, or in the name of, 1 or more covered legislative branch officials or covered executive branch officials,
except that this subparagraph shall not apply if the funds are provided to a person who is required to report the receipt of the funds under section 304 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 434);
(F)
the name of each Presidential library foundation, and each Presidential inaugural committee, to whom contributions equal to or exceeding $200 were made by the person or organization, or a political committee established or controlled by the person or organization, within the semiannual period, and the date and amount of each such contribution within the semiannual period; and
(G)
a certification by the person or organization filing the report that the person or organization—
(i)
has read and is familiar with those provisions of the Standing Rules of the Senate and the Rules of the House of Representatives relating to the provision of gifts and travel; and
(ii)
has not provided, requested, or directed a gift, including travel, to a Member of Congress or an officer or employee of either House of Congress with knowledge that receipt of the gift would violate rule XXXV of the Standing Rules of the Senate or rule XXV of the Rules of the House of Representatives.
(2)

Definition.—
In this subsection, the term “leadership PAC” has the meaning given such term in section 304(i)(8)(B) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971.
(e)

Electronic Filing Required.—
A report required to be filed under this section shall be filed in electronic form, in addition to any other form that the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the House of Representatives may require or allow. The Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives shall use the same electronic software for receipt and recording of filings under this Act.
SEC. 6.
[2 U.S.C. 1605]

DISCLOSURE AND ENFORCEMENT.
(a)

In General.—
The Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives shall—
(1)
provide guidance and assistance on the registration and reporting requirements of this Act and develop common standards, rules, and procedures for compliance with this Act;
(2)
review, and, where necessary, verify and inquire to ensure the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of registration and reports;
(3)
develop filing, coding, and cross-indexing systems to carry out the purpose of this Act, including—
(A)
a publicly available list of all registered lobbyists, lobbying firms, and their clients; and
(B)
computerized systems designed to minimize the burden of filing and maximize public access to materials filed under this Act;
(4)
make available for public inspection and copying at reasonable times the registrations and reports filed under this Act and, in the case of a report filed in electronic form under section 5(e), make such report available for public inspection over the Internet as soon as technically practicable after the report is so filed;
(5)
retain registrations for a period of at least 6 years after they are terminated and reports for a period of at least 6 years after they are filed;
(6)
compile and summarize, with respect to each quarterly period, the information contained in registrations and reports filed with respect to such period in a clear and complete manner;
(7)
notify any lobbyist or lobbying firm in writing that may be in noncompliance with this Act;
(8)
notify the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia that a lobbyist or lobbying firm may be in noncompliance with this Act, if the registrant has been notified in writing and has failed to provide an appropriate response within 60 days after notice was given under paragraph (7);
(9)
maintain all registrations and reports filed under this Act, and make them available to the public over the Internet, without a fee or other access charge, in a searchable, sortable, and downloadable manner, to the extent technically practicable, that—
(A)
includes the information contained in the registrations and reports;
(B)
is searchable and sortable to the maximum extent practicable, including searchable and sortable by each of the categories of information described in section 4(b) or 5(b); and
(C)
provides electronic links or other appropriate mechanisms to allow users to obtain relevant information in the database of the Federal Election Commission;
(10)
retain the information contained in a registration or report filed under this Act for a period of 6 years after the registration or report (as the case may be) is filed; and
(11)
make publicly available, on a semiannual basis, the aggregate number of registrants referred to the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia for noncompliance as required by paragraph (8).
(b)

Enforcement Report.—
(1)

Report.—
The Attorney General shall report to the congressional committees referred to in paragraph (2), after the end of each semiannual period beginning on January 1 and July 1, the aggregate number of enforcement actions taken by the Department of Justice under this Act during that semiannual period and, by case, any sentences imposed, except that such report shall not include the names of individuals, or personally identifiable information, that is not already a matter of public record.
(2)

Committees.—
The congressional committees referred to in paragraph (1) are the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives.
SEC. 7.
[2 U.S.C. 1606]

PENALTIES.
(a)

Civil Penalty.—
Whoever knowingly fails to—
(1)
remedy a defective filing within 60 days after notice of such a defect by the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the House of Representatives; or
(2)
comply with any other provision of this Act;
shall, upon proof of such knowing violation by a preponderance of the evidence, be subject to a civil fine of not more than $200,000, depending on the extent and gravity of the violation.
(b)

Criminal Penalty.—
Whoever knowingly and corruptly fails to comply with any provision of this Act shall be imprisoned for not more than 5 years or fined under title 18, United States Code, or both.
SEC. 8.
[2 U.S.C. 1607]

RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.
(a)

Constitutional Rights.—
Nothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit or interfere with—
(1)
the right to petition the Government for the redress of grievances;
(2)
the right to express a personal opinion; or
(3)
the right of association,
protected by the first amendment to the Constitution.
(b)

Prohibition of Activities.—
Nothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit, or to authorize any court to prohibit, lobbying activities or lobbying contacts by any person or entity, regardless of whether such person or entity is in compliance with the requirements of this Act.
(c)

Audit and Investigations.—
Nothing in this Act shall be construed to grant general audit or investigative authority to the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the House of Representatives.
SEC. 9.

AMENDMENTS TO THE FOREIGN AGENTS REGISTRATION ACT.
[Sec. 9 provides for amendments to the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 (22 U.S.C. 611 et seq.)]
SEC. 10.

AMENDMENTS TO THE BYRD AMENDMENT.
[Sec. 10 provides for amendments to section 1352 of title 31, United States Code]
SEC. 11.

REPEAL OF CERTAIN LOBBYING PROVISIONS.
(a)

Repeal of the Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act.—
[Sec. 11(a) provides for the repeal of the Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act (2 U.S.C. 261 et seq.) in its entirety]
(b)

Repeal of Provisions Relating to Housing Lobbyist Activities.—
(1)
[Sec. 11(b)(1) provides for the repeal of section 13 of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act (42 U.S.C. 3537b)]
(2)
[Sec. 11(b)(2) provides for the repeal of section 536(d) of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1490p(d))]
SEC. 12.

CONFORMING AMENDMENTS TO OTHER STATUTES.
(a)

Amendment to Competitiveness Policy Council Act.—
[Sec. 12(a) provides for an amendment to section 5206(e) of the Competitiveness Policy Council Act (15 U.S.C. 4804(e))]
(b)

Amendments to Title 18, United States Code.—
[Sec. 12(b) provides for amendments to section 219(a) of title 18, United States Code]
(c)

Amendment to Foreign Service Act of 1980.—
[Sec. 12(c) provides for an amendment to section 602(c) of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 4002(c))]
SEC. 13.
[2 U.S.C. 1608]

SEVERABILITY.
If any provision of this Act, or the application thereof, is held invalid, the validity of the remainder of this Act and the application of such provision to other persons and circumstances shall not be affected thereby.
SEC. 14.
[2 U.S.C. 1609]

IDENTIFICATION OF CLIENTS AND COVERED OFFICIALS.
(a)

Oral Lobbying Contacts.—
Any person or entity that makes an oral lobbying contact with a covered legislative branch official or a covered executive branch official shall, on the request of the official at the time of the lobbying contact—
(1)
state whether the person or entity is registered under this Act and identify the client on whose behalf the lobbying contact is made; and
(2)
state whether such client is a foreign entity and identify any foreign entity required to be disclosed under section 4(b)(4) that has a direct interest in the outcome of the lobbying activity.
(b)

Written Lobbying Contacts.—
Any person or entity registered under this Act that makes a written lobbying contact (including an electronic communication) with a covered legislative branch official or a covered executive branch official shall—
(1)
if the client on whose behalf the lobbying contact was made is a foreign entity, identify such client, state that the client is considered a foreign entity under this Act, and state whether the person making the lobbying contact is registered on behalf of that client under section 4; and
(2)
identify any other foreign entity identified pursuant to section 4(b)(4) that has a direct interest in the outcome of the lobbying activity.
(c)

Identification as Covered Official.—
Upon request by a person or entity making a lobbying contact, the individual who is contacted or the office employing that individual shall indicate whether or not the individual is a covered legislative branch official or a covered executive branch official.
SEC. 15.
[2 U.S.C. 1610]

ESTIMATES BASED ON TAX REPORTING SYSTEM.
(a)

Entities Covered by Section 6033(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.—
A person, other than a lobbying firm, that is required to report and does report lobbying expenditures pursuant to section 6033(b)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 may—
(1)
make a good faith estimate (by category of dollar value) of applicable amounts that would be required to be disclosed under such section for the appropriate quarterly period to meet the requirements of sections 4(a)(3) and 5(b)(4); and
(2)
for all other purposes consider as lobbying contacts and lobbying activities only—
(A)
lobbying contacts with covered legislative branch officials (as defined in section 3(4)) and lobbying activities in support of such contacts; and
(B)
lobbying of Federal executive branch officials to the extent that such activities are influencing legislation as defined in section 4911(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(b)

Entities Covered by Section 162(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.—
A person, other than a lobbying firm, who is required to account and does account for lobbying expenditures pursuant to section 162(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 may—
(1)
make a good faith estimate (by category of dollar value) of applicable amounts that would not be deductible pursuant to such section for the appropriate quarterly period to meet the requirements of sections 4(a)(3) and 5(b)(4); and
(2)
for all other purposes consider as lobbying contacts and lobbying activities only—
(A)
lobbying contacts with covered legislative branch officials (as defined in section 3(4)) and lobbying activities in support of such contacts; and
(B)
lobbying of Federal executive branch officials to the extent that amounts paid or costs incurred in connection with such activities are not deductible pursuant to section 162(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(c)

Disclosure of Estimate.—
Any registrant that elects to make estimates required by this Act under the procedures authorized by subsection (a) or (b) for reporting or threshold purposes shall—
(1)
inform the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives that the registrant has elected to make its estimates under such procedures; and
(2)
make all such estimates, in a given calendar year, under such procedures.
(d)

Study.—
Not later than March 31, 1997, the Comptroller General of the United States shall review reporting by registrants under subsections (a) and (b) and report to the Congress—
(1)
the differences between the definition of “lobbying activities” in section 3(7) and the definitions of “lobbying expenditures”, “influencing legislation”, and related terms in sections 162(e) and 4911 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as each are implemented by regulations;
(2)
the impact that any such differences may have on filing and reporting under this Act pursuant to this subsection; and
(3)
any changes to this Act or to the appropriate sections of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that the Comptroller General may recommend to harmonize the definitions.
SEC. 16.

REPEAL OF THE RAMSPECK ACT.
(a)

Repeal.—
Subsection (c) of section 3304 of title 5, United States Code, is repealed.
(b)

Redesignation.—
Subsection (d) of section 3304 of title 5, United States Code, is redesignated as subsection (c).
(c)

Effective Date.—
The repeal and amendment made by this section shall take effect 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 17.

EXCEPTED SERVICE AND OTHER EXPERIENCE CONSIDERATIONS FOR COMPETITIVE SERVICE APPOINTMENTS.
(a)

In General.—
Section 3304 of title 5, United States Code (as amended by section 2 of this Act) is further amended by adding at the end thereof the following new subsection:
“(d)
The Office of Personnel Management shall promulgate regulations on the manner and extent that experience of an individual in a position other than the competitive service, such as the excepted service (as defined under section 2103) in the legislative or judicial branch, or in any private or nonprofit enterprise, may be considered in making appointments to a position in the competitive service (as defined under section 2102). In promulgating such regulations OPM shall not grant any preference based on the fact of service in the legislative or judicial branch. The regulations shall be consistent with the principles of equitable competition and merit based appointments.”
.
(b)

Effective Date.—
The amendment made by this section shall take effect 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, except the Office of Personnel Management shall—
(1)
conduct a study on excepted service considerations for competitive service appointments relating to such amendment; and
(2)
take all necessary actions for the regulations described under such amendment to take effect as final regulations on the effective date of this section.
SEC. 18.
[2 U.S.C. 1611]

EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS.
An organization described in section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 which engages in lobbying activities shall not be eligible for the receipt of Federal funds constituting an award, grant, or loan.
SEC. 19.

AMENDMENT TO THE FOREIGN AGENTS REGISTRATION ACT (P.L. 75–583).
[Sec. 19 provides for an amendment to strike and insert section 11 of the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938]
SEC. 20.

DISCLOSURE OF THE VALUE OF ASSETS UNDER THE ETHICS IN GOVERNMENT ACT OF 1978.
[Sec. 20 provides for amendments to section 102 of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978]
SEC. 21.

BAN ON TRADE REPRESENTATIVE REPRESENTING OR ADVISING FOREIGN ENTITIES.
(a)

Representing after Service.—
[Sec. 21(a) provides for amendments to section 207(f)(2) of title 18, United States Code]
(b)

Limitation on Appointment as United States Trade Representative and Deputy United States Trade Representative.—
[Sec. 21(b) provides for an amendment to section 141(b) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2171(b))]
(c)

Effective Date.—
The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to an individual appointed as United States Trade Representative or as a Deputy United States Trade Representative on or after the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 22.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST IN QUALIFIED BLIND TRUST.
(a)

In General.—
[Sec. 22(a) and (b) provides for amendments to section 102 of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978]
(c)
[5 U.S.C. 13104 note]

Effective Date.—
The amendment made by this section shall apply with respect to reports filed under subchapter I of chapter 131 of title 5, United States Code, for calendar year 1996 and thereafter.
SEC. 23.
[2 U.S.C. 1612]

SENSE OF THE SENATE THAT LOBBYING EXPENSES SHOULD REMAIN NONDEDUCTIBLE.
(a)

Findings.—
The Senate finds that ordinary Americans generally are not allowed to deduct the costs of communicating with their elected representatives.
(b)

Sense of the Senate.—
It is the sense of the Senate that lobbying expenses should not be tax deductible.
SEC. 24.
[2 U.S.C. 1601 note]

EFFECTIVE DATES.
(a)
Except as otherwise provided in this section, this Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect on January 1, 1996.
(b)
The repeals and amendments made under sections 9, 10, 11, and 12 shall take effect as provided under subsection (a), except that such repeals and amendments—
(1)
shall not affect any proceeding or suit commenced before the effective date under subsection (a), and in all such proceedings or suits, proceedings shall be had, appeals taken, and judgments rendered in the same manner and with the same effect as if this Act had not been enacted; and
(2)
shall not affect the requirements of Federal agencies to compile, publish, and retain information filed or received before the effective date of such repeals and amendments.
SEC. 25.
[2 U.S.C. 1613]

PROHIBITION ON PROVISION OF GIFTS OR TRAVEL BY REGISTERED LOBBYISTS TO MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND TO CONGRESSIONAL EMPLOYEES.
(a)

Prohibition.—
Any person described in subsection (b) may not make a gift or provide travel to a covered legislative branch official if the person has knowledge that the gift or travel may not be accepted by that covered legislative branch official under the Rules of the House of Representatives or the Standing Rules of the Senate (as the case may be).
(b)

Persons Subject to Prohibition.—
The persons subject to the prohibition under subsection (a) are any lobbyist that is registered or is required to register under section 4(a)(1), any organization that employs 1 or more lobbyists and is registered or is required to register under section 4(a)(2), and any employee listed or required to be listed as a lobbyist by a registrant under section 4(b)(6) or 5(b)(2)(C).
SEC. 26.
[2 U.S.C. 1614]

ANNUAL AUDITS AND REPORTS BY COMPTROLLER GENERAL.
(a)

Audit.—
On an annual basis, the Comptroller General shall audit the extent of compliance or noncompliance with the requirements of this Act by lobbyists, lobbying firms, and registrants through a random sampling of publicly available lobbying registrations and reports filed under this Act during each calendar year.
(b)

Reports to Congress.—
(1)

Annual reports.—
Not later than April 1 of each year, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Congress a report on the review required by subsection (a) for the preceding calendar year. The report shall include the Comptroller General's assessment of the matters required to be emphasized by that subsection and any recommendations of the Comptroller General to—
(A)
improve the compliance by lobbyists, lobbying firms, and registrants with the requirements of this Act; and
(B)
provide the Department of Justice with the resources and authorities needed for the effective enforcement of this Act.
(2)

Assessment of compliance.—
The annual report under paragraph (1) shall include an assessment of compliance by registrants with the requirements of section 4(b)(3).
(c)

Access to Information.—
The Comptroller General may, in carrying out this section, request information from and access to any relevant documents from any person registered under paragraph (1) or (2) of section 4(a) and each employee who is listed as a lobbyist under section 4(b)(6) or section 5(b)(2)(C) if the material requested relates to the purposes of this section. The Comptroller General may request such person to submit in writing such information as the Comptroller General may prescribe. The Comptroller General may notify the Congress in writing if a person from whom information has been requested under this subsection refuses to comply with the request within 45 days after the request is made.