Agenda Packet_2022-05-03 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Lobbyist Registration Assessment Page 3 What is "lobbying"? Lobbying is generally defined as communicating directly or soliciting others to communicate with any public official or staff in the legislative or executive branch of government or in a quasi-public agency for the purpose of influencing any legislative or administrative action. This typically involves lobbying on behalf of another for compensation. Not everyone who engages in the act of lobbying is a lobbyist.Definitions commonly exclude legislators attempting to gather support for a bill or policy decision through the normal course of the legislative process, constituents making calls to policymakers regarding a matter of personal concern, government employees working within the ordinary course of their positions, and the media. Other persons or activities that are often excluded from the definition of lobbyist include professionals such as licensed lawyers filing comments in a regulatory proceeding on behalf of a client and individuals and companies responding to information requests from an administrative department. Regulation of Lobbyists in California California Business &Professions Code Section 6009 provides that cities and counties may regulate both attorney and non-attorney lobbyists. Information that may be required to be disclosed by the lobbyist includes: 1. The name,business address, and telephone number of the lobbyist, of any lobbying firm of which the lobbyist is a partner, owner, officer, or employee, and of any persons or lobbying firms paid to lobby by the lobbyist. 2. The name,business address, and business telephone number of each client who pays the lobbyist to lobby;the specific matter and agency lobbied, itemized by client; and the amount of money paid to the lobbyist for lobbying and the total expenses of the lobbyist for lobbying, itemized by client. 3. All gifts or payments made by the lobbyist to officials in the jurisdiction, itemized by the name of the official, the amount, date, and description of the gift or payment, and the names of the person making the gift or payment and the person receiving the gift or payment. 4. All campaign contributions made, arranged, or delivered by the lobbyist to officials in the jurisdiction, specified by amount, date, and name of the official receiving the contribution. Interviews and Review of City Documents Management Partners conducted interviews with staff in the City Clerk's Office, reviewed public agenda items and watched video segments of public meetings The purpose was to gather information and perspectives about the effectiveness of existing regulations, measures being undertaken to bring further transparency to decision-making, and the administrative support structure required to effectively manage existing and new reporting requirements, City Council 9 - 3 5/3/2022