Types of Lobbyists
The Lobbyists Registration Act defines three categories of lobbyist:
Consultant Lobbyist
A consultant lobbyist
is an individual paid to lobby on behalf of a client. Consultant lobbyists
can include lawyers, accountants and other professionals.
A client is a person,
partnership or organization that hires a consultant lobbyist for an undertaking.
In the Lobbyists� Registration Act, person refers to a legal person, such
as a corporation, as well as a natural person.
Each undertaking requires a new registration. An undertaking is defined as a contract or agreement between the consultant lobbyist and a client. Contracts that have significant changes (not including address changes) or differences in subject matter represent a new undertaking.
In-house Lobbyist (company)
An In-house Lobbyist
(company) is an employee of a person, partnership or company whose lobbying
activity is a significant part of their duties or whose lobbying activity
along with that of other employees� would amount to a significant part
of one staff member�s duties.
A significant part of
duties is defined as an average of 20 per cent of an employee�s time over
a three-month period. This applies to individual employees and a collective
of employees conducting lobbying activities. For example, if you assume
a five-day workweek, then over a three-month period an employee or group
of employees would reach the 20 per cent threshold in 12 days of lobbying.
Two employees working six days each would meet this requirement.
An employer is a person, partnership or company that carries on business for financial gain and pays (in whole or in part) specific employees to lobby on their behalf.
In-house Lobbyist (organization)
An In-house Lobbyist
(organization) is an employee of an organization such as a professional
association, society or chamber of commerce whose lobbying activity is
a significant part of their duties or whose lobbying activity along with
that of other employees� would amount to a significant part of one staff
member�s duties.
A significant part of
duties is defined as an average of 20 per cent of an employee�s time over
a three-month period. This applies to individual employees and a collective
of employees conducting lobbying activities for the organization. For
example, if you assume a five-day workweek, then over a three-month period
an employee or group of employees would reach the 20 per cent threshold
in 12 days of lobbying. Two employees working six days each would meet
this requirement.
The senior officer of
the organization that employs in-house lobbyists files the registration
on behalf of the lobbyists. The top person in the organization who is
compensated for his or her work is considered to be the senior officer.
Only one registration is required for an organization with in-house lobbyists, however, each lobbyist is to be listed.