§ 305-51 — Exceptions

305-51. Exceptions.

1. The provisions of this subchapter shall not apply to: a. A city official, provided he or she is solely engaged in matters of governmental interest concerning his or her respective governmental body and the city. b. A person who owns, publishes, or is employed by a newspaper, any regularly published periodical, a radio station, a television station, a wire service or any other bona fide news medium that, in the ordinary course of business, disseminates news, letters to the editor, editorial or other comment, or paid advertisements that directly or indirectly oppose or promote legislation or administrative action provided the person does not engage in other activities that require registration under this section and does not represent another person in connection with influencing legislation. This paragraph does not exempt a person whose relation to the news media is only incidental to a lobbying effort or when a position taken or advocated by a media outlet, reporter or editor directly affects or seeks to influence legislation in which the media outlet, reporter or editor has a direct or indirect financial interest. c. A person who, without compensation and not as part of or in the ordinary course of his or her regular employment, presents the position of a civic organization such as a taxpayer’s association, a community organization or other organization, however formally or informally organized. This paragraph does not exempt a person when a position taken or advocated directly impacts, affects, or seeks to influence legislation in which that person has a direct or indirect financial interest. d. A person who presents the position of a religious organization on matters involving the religious beliefs of the organization. e. A member of the State Bar of Wisconsin, acting on behalf of a client in an attorney-client relationship, while performing a duty or service which can be performed lawfully only by an attorney licensed to practice law in the state of Wisconsin. f. A representative appearing on behalf of an owner before the board of review as authorized by s. 70.47(8)(b), Wis. Stats. g. Requests for information from a city official and the furnishing of that information when the official is acting in an official capacity. h. Requests for interpretation of existing laws or ordinances; contract or bidding inquiries; or grant applications. i. A city employee, as defined under s. 303-3-11, who represents the position of a certified collective bargaining unit of which the employee is a member. j. A person employed by the housing authority of the city of Milwaukee, the Milwaukee economic development corporation, the neighborhood improvement development corporation and the redevelopment authority of the city of Milwaukee, provided he or she is solely engaged in matters of governmental interest concerning his or her employer and the city. k. A person holding a staff position for any city board, commission or committee where the members of that body are not required to file statements of economic interests under s. 303-11, provided he or she is solely engaged in matters of governmental interest concerning his or her respective body and the city. L. A person who is a design professional, acting on behalf of a client, while performing a duty or service within the definition of the practice of his or her profession. This paragraph does not exempt a person when the performance of a duty or service directly impacts, affects or seeks to influence administrative or legislative action in which that person has a direct or indirect financial interest other than receipt of professional fees and reimbursement for actual expenses. 2. Nothing in this subchapter shall be applied to or interfere with the right of any person to communicate with the common council member who represents the district in which the person resides, whether or not this communication is made on behalf of the person or on behalf of another person.