Lobbyists and Principals - Registration Required.
Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 305-45
in effect305-45. Lobbyists and Principals - Registration Required.
1. Any person meeting the definition of a lobbyist shall, within 15 days of meeting the definition, register with the city clerk on forms provided therefor. The forms shall include the following:
a. The full name, occupation and principal place of employment of the lobbyist, and the address, telephone number and e-mail address of the lobbyist relating to the principal place of employment.
b. The identity of the legislative or administrative matter for which the lobbyist has been retained.
c. The name, occupation, and principal place of business of the person who is directing the lobbying activities and whose interests the lobbyist is representing, and the address, telephone number and e-mail address of the person represented relating to the principal place of business.
d. Any direct or indirect economic interest in the legislative or administrative matter that the lobbyist may have, as well as the direct or indirect economic interest of the real party in interest.
e. The name, telephone number, address and e-mail address of an agent listed by the principal who shall be designated the official contact for the principal in all matters pertaining to lobbying.
f. The name, telephone number, address and e-mail address listed by the principal of any individual authorized to sign documents on behalf of the principal.
g. A statement that the registrant has received a copy of the rules and regulations relating to the provisions of this subchapter.
2. The lobbyist shall at the time of registration file with the city clerk a written authorization, signed by the principal, for the lobbyist to represent the principal. In those instances in which a lobbyist represents multiple principals, the lobbyist shall file a separate authorization for each principal.
3. In the event a principal engages in lobbying for 2 or more hours within a single reporting period, the principal shall within 15 days register with the city clerk pursuant to sub. 1.
4. Any person required to register under this section shall pay at the time of registration the fee provided in s. 81-73. Registrants employed by or who contract with or receive economic consideration from a government department, agency or organization of another political subdivision within the state of Wisconsin; another state; or the federal government shall be exempt from paying the fee, provided the registrants are solely engaged in matters of governmental interest concerning their respective governmental body and the city.
5. A registrant shall amend his or her original registration filing with the city clerk so that his or her file reflects at all times the areas of legislative and administrative action that the registrant is attempting to influence. The file shall also identify the file number of committee reports, resolutions, ordinances or administrative actions that are the subject of a registrant’s lobbying activities.
6. When appearing before a common council committee, a registrant shall orally identify him or herself as a lobbyist or principal before engaging in lobbying. At a common council, committee, board or commission meeting, a city official may require oral disclosure of whom a lobbyist is representing, the specific legislation or administrative matter for which a lobbyist has been retained, and any economic interest a lobbyist or principal may have in the matter.
7. Unless otherwise noted in this subchapter, a registrant shall notify the city clerk of any changes of the circumstances set forth in his or her original registration within 10 days of the changes taking place.
Source: City of Milwaukee Legislative Reference Bureau, Milwaukee City Charter and Code of Ordinances (city.milwaukee.gov master PDFs)URL: https://city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/ccClerk/Ordinances/Volume-3/CH305.pdf#page=8Fetched: 10/26/2026