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Lobbyist Ordinance <br />June 21, 2022 <br />Page 3 <br />2 <br />8 <br />0 <br />6 <br />developed to address comments and suggestions made during the May 3, 2022, Council <br />meeting. The draft ordinance, which is included as an attachment to this document, has <br />been reviewed by City Attorney's Office and their changes and suggestions were <br />incorporated. <br />Highlights of the draft ordinance are provided below. <br />Added language related to the purpose and intent of the regulation. Specifically, <br />new language indicates the purpose for enacting these regulations is to promote <br />public confidence and trust, preserve the integrity of local government decision- <br />making, and provide members of the community with access to information about <br />persons and organizations who attempt to influence decisions of City government <br />through the use of paid lobbyists. <br />Provided the definition of lobbyist. As there was not a Council majority consensus, <br />staff suggested a threshold amount for the calendar month as an effort to <br />compromise. As written, “lobbyist” is defined as any individual or entity who <br />receives or becomes entitled to receive $500 or more in consideration in a <br />calendar month, other than reimbursement for reasonable travel expenses, to <br />communicate, directly or through his/her agents with any elected or appointed <br />official of the City, member of the City Executive Team, or Legislative Body, board <br />or commission of the City, for the purpose of influencing legislative or <br />administrative action of the City of Santa Ana or any regional agency in which <br />Santa Ana has a voting role. <br />Expanded the definition of “lobbyist” to include non-profit organizations. <br />Added a definition of “client” which is the person who compensates a lobbyist or <br />lobbying firm for the purpose of attempting to influence a legislative or <br />administrative action and the person on whose behalf a lobbyist or lobbying firm <br />attempts to influence such municipal action even if the lobbyist or lobbying firm is <br />compensated by another person for such representation. <br />Added language related to the information to be disclosed at the time of <br />registration and established that the registration expires and must be renewed <br />annually. <br />Provisions related to the exemptions to the definition of “lobbyist” were retained <br />from the initial draft of the proposed ordinance at the November 16, 2021 Council <br />meeting and were expanded. <br />Provisions related to quarterly reporting including information required to be <br />disclosed. Deadlines included in the initial draft of the proposed ordinance were <br />retained and effective dates updated. <br />Added language requiring use of the Clerk of the Council’s electronic filing system <br />to file online registration forms and disclosure reports. Added language providing <br />that duly authorized owners or officers of lobbying firms shall review the contents <br />and electronically verify under penalty of perjury that s/he believes the contents <br />are true, correct and complete based on personal knowledge or on information <br />and belief.