Exceptions.

San Antonio City Code § 2-64

in effect

Sec. 2-64. - Exceptions. The following persons and entities are not required to register under sections 2-63 and 2-65 (persons required to register as lobbyists and registration) or file an activity report under section 2-66 (quarterly activity reports): (1) Media outlets. A person who owns, publishes or is employed by: a. A newspaper; b. Any other regularly published periodical; c. A radio station; d. A television station; e. A wire service; or f. Any other bona fide news medium that in the ordinary course of business disseminates news, opinions, or paid advertisements that directly or indirectly oppose or promote municipal questions or seek to influence official action relating thereto, if the person does not engage in other activities that require registration under division 5 (lobbyists). This subsection does not exempt the news media or a person whose relation to the news media is only incidental to a lobbying effort or if a position taken or advocated by a media outlet directly impacts, affects, or seeks to influence a municipal question in which the media outlet has a direct or indirect economic interest. (2) Mobilizing entity constituents and not-for-profit organizations. A person whose only lobbying activity is to encourage or solicit the members, employees, or owners (including shareholders) of an entity by whom the person is compensated to communicate directly with one (1) or more city officials to influence municipal questions. This exception is intended to apply to neighborhood associations and not-for-profit organizations. (3) Governmental entities. Governmental entities and their officials and employees, provided the communications relate solely to subjects of governmental interest concerning the respective governmental bodies and the city. (4) Unknown municipal questions. A person who neither knows nor has reason to know that a municipal question is pending at the time of contact with a city official. This subsection does not apply if the existence of a municipal question is discovered during on-going contacts with a city official and the person then engages in additional lobbying of the same official or other city officials with respect to that municipal question. (5) Dispute resolution. An attorney or other person whose contact with a city official is made solely as part of resolving a dispute with the city, provided that the contact is solely with city officials who do not vote on or have final authority over any municipal question involved and so long as such an attorney complies with Rule 4.02 of the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, as amended. (6) Compensation of registrant. A client who would only be required to register under section 2-63 because of any expenditure to compensate a registrant, other than an employee, to lobby on a municipal question of interest to the client, provided that the compensated registrant files a registration statement or activity report for the period in question. (7) Agent or employee. An agent or employee of a lobbying firm or other registrant that files a registration statement or activity report for the period in question fully disclosing all relevant information known to the agent or employee. (8) Individual. An individual who engages in lobbying but who neither receives compensation nor expends monies for lobbying with respect to any client. The term "expends" does not include the cost of photocopying documents, or creating other informational material by individuals who communicate with public officials to express personal opinions on behalf of themselves, their family or members of their household. (9) Attorneys. A licensed attorney who is performing an act that may be performed only by a licensed attorney. (Ord. No. 2013-05-09-0317, § 2(Att. B), 5-9-13)

Source: City of San Antonio, City Code, City Charter and Unified Development Code (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/san_antonio/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICO_CH2AD_ARTIIICOET_DIV5LO_S2-64EXFetched: 10/27/2026