Lobbying Disclosure Act

Lobbying means influencing or attempting to influence legislative action or non-action through oral or written communication or an attempt to obtain the goodwill of a member or employee of the Legislature, Congress or covered Executive branch official.

It depends. An employee who simply provides information to a legislator (and does not advocate for or against a position or funding) or is asked to testify before a committee as an expert generally does not need to register as a lobbyist. There may be circumstances where that communication could trigger a required disclosure filing. Notify the Office of Government and Community Relations if you are contacted by a legislator or staff.

The term “lobbying activities” means lobbying contacts and efforts in support of such contacts, including preparation and planning activities, research and other background work that is intended, at the time it is performed, for use in contacts, and coordination with the lobbying activities of others.

The term ”lobbyist” means any individual who is employed or retained by a client for financial or other compensation for services that include more than one lobbying contact, other than an individual whose lobbying activities constitute less than 20 percent of the time engaged in the services provided by such individual to that client over a 3-month period.

COVERED EXECUTIVE BRANCH OFFICIAL.—The term “covered executive branch official” means—

                  (A) the President;

                  (B) the Vice President;

                  (C) any officer or employee, or any other individual functioning in the capacity of such an officer or employee, in the Executive Office of the President;

                  (D) any officer or employee serving in a position in level I, II, III, IV, or V of the Executive Schedule, as designated by statute or Executive order;

                  (E) any member of the uniformed services whose pay grade is at or above O–7 under section 201 of title 37, United States Code; and

                  (F) any officer or employee serving in a position of a confidential, policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating character described in section 7511(b)(2)(B) of title 5, United States Code.

                  (4) COVERED LEGISLATIVE BRANCH OFFICIAL.—The term “covered legislative branch official” means—

                  (A) a Member of Congress;

                  (B) an elected officer of either House of Congress;

                  (C) any employee of, or any other individual functioning in the capacity of an employee of—

                  (i) a Member of Congress;

                  (ii) a committee of either House of Congress;

                  (iii) the leadership staff of the House of Representatives or the leadership staff of the Senate;

                  (iv) a joint committee of Congress; and

                  (v) a working group or caucus organized to provide legislative services or other assistance to Members of Congress; and

                  (D) any other legislative branch employee serving in a position described under section 109(13) of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.).

Generally, lobbying contacts you make on behalf of a professional association or in connection with your personal interests or your scholarly pursuits would not be lobbying activities on behalf of the University of Florida. In fact, you should make it clear that you are there on behalf of your association or yourself, and not for the University.