Transparency in Government Act 2008
Title IV - Improving Lobbyist Reporting and Disclosure of Information
Sec. 407. Expansion of lobbying activities to be reported where there is coordination with registered lobbyists.
Under the current reporting regime, individuals who spend at least 20 percent of their time involved in lobbying activities must register and report as lobbyists. Because many people with access and influence in Congress escape reporting under this threshold, the threshold should be reduced to 10 percent. Additionally, this provision ensures that individuals who are deeply involved with lobbying campaigns because they are the "masterminds" behind the lobbying strategy report their activities. Currently, many behind the scenes strategists may escape registering and reporting.
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Notwithstanding any other provision in this Act, lobbyist reporting requirements are triggered when an individual spends 10 percent of his or her time in a monthly reporting period coordinating lobbying activities with others who are required to register and report under this act.
For purposes of this section, coordinating lobbying activities includes planning, strategizing, and advising on the lobbying activities of others.