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TITLE IV - Improving Lobbyist Reporting and Disclosure of Information

Sec. 403. Disclosure of support or opposition to legislation and earmark requests. (1 Comment) subscribe to the comments feed

Requiring lobbyists to disclose the earmarks they request on behalf of their clients would provide the opening chapter to the complete story of how public funds are spent. Providing information about earmarks is a natural and important expansion of lobbyist disclosure rules.

Section 5 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1604) is further amended by adding the following:

  1. for each specific piece of legislation that has been the subject of a lobbying contact, the lobbyist will disclose whether the client on whose behalf the lobby contact was made supports, supports with modifications, or opposes the legislation.

  2. Each monthly report filed shall also contain requests for congressional earmarks (as defined in clause 9(d) of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives for the One Hundred Tenth Congress)'.

    1. With regard to earmark requests, the report shall include

      1. the name and address of the entity on whose behalf the earmark was requested, along with a list of each individual working for the entity involved in attempts to influence the receipt of an earmark;

      2. the name and address of each entity paid to influence an earmark request, along with a list of each individual performing the services for which such payment is made;

      3. the amount expended to influence a Federal award by the entity completing the report and paid to any entity for such purposes;

      4. how the entity or individual was paid, such as whether it was a commission, hourly rate, or fixed rate;

      5. a description of the issues or Federal awards being discussed; and

      6. the name of the agency or congressional office, including names of individuals, and the number of communications with each agency or congressional office involved in the activity intended to influence a Federal award.

1 comment on Sec. 403. Disclosure of support or opposition to legislation and earmark requests.

  • How about a requirement that the lobbying person submit any changes of address for a seven year period after the meeting. We need someone who is traceable and accountable.

    posted by Gary Vogt at April 5, 2008
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