MUNICIPAL LOBBYING

Los Angeles Municipal Code ch. IV, art. 8

in effect

Los Angeles Municipal Code § 48.01 TITLE AND FINDINGS.

SEC. 48.01. TITLE AND FINDINGS. (Title and Section Amended by Ord. No. 169,916, Eff. 8/10/94.) A. Title. This article shall be known and may be cited as the Los Angeles Municipal Lobbying Ordinance. B. Findings. The following findings are adopted in conjunction with the enactment of this article: 1. City government functions to serve the needs of all citizens. 2. The citizens of the City of Los Angeles have a right to know the identity of interests which attempt to influence decisions of City government, as well as the means employed by those interests. 3. All persons engaged in compensated lobbying activities aimed at influencing decisions by City government must, when so engaged, be subject to the same regulations, restrictions and requirements, regardless of their background, training or other professional qualifications or license. 4. Complete public disclosure of the full range of activities by and financing of lobbyists and those who employ their services is essential to the maintenance of citizen confidence in the integrity of local government. 5. It is in the public interest to ensure that lobbyists do not misrepresent facts, their positions, or attempt to deceive officials through false communications, do not place City officials under personal obligation to themselves or their clients, and do not represent that they can control the actions of City officials. 6. It is in the public interest to adopt these amendments to the City’s regulations of lobbyists to ensure adequate and effective disclosure of information about efforts to lobby City government.

Los Angeles Municipal Code § 48.02 DEFINITIONS.

SEC. 48.02. DEFINITIONS. (Title and Section Amended by Ord. No. 169,916, Eff. 8/10/94.) The following terms used in this article shall have the meanings set forth below. Other terms used in this article shall have the meanings set forth in the California Political Reform Act of 1974, as amended, and in the regulations of the California Fair Political Practices Commission, as amended, if defined therein. “Activity expense” means any payment, including any gift, made to or directly benefiting any City official or member of their immediate family, made by a lobbyist, lobbying firm, or lobbyist employer. “Administrative proceeding” (Deleted by Ord. No. 172,479, Eff. 4/10/99, Oper. 4/1/99.) “Agency” means the City of Los Angeles or any department, bureau, office, board, commission, other agency of the City, or any other government agency, required to adopt a conflict of interest code subject to City Council approval, and includes the City’s Community Redevelopment Agency and the Los Angeles City Housing Authority. “At the behest” means under the control of, at the direction of, in cooperation, consultation, coordination, or concert with, at the request or suggestion of, or with the express prior consent of any elective City officer or candidate for elective City office. A donation to a religious, charitable, or other nonprofit organization is not made at the behest of an elective City officer or candidate if the donation is solicited through a newspaper publication, through radio, television, or other mass media, or through a suggestion made to the entire audience at a public gathering. A donation to a religious, charitable, or other nonprofit organization is not made at the behest of an elective City officer or candidate solely because the name of the officer or candidate is listed with other names on written materials used to request donations or the officer or candidate makes a speech to the entire audience or is honored and given an award at an event sponsored by the organization. (Amended by Ord. No. 178,356, Eff. 3/12/07.) “Attempting to influence” means promoting, supporting, opposing or seeking to modify or delay any action on municipal legislation by any means, including but not limited to providing or using persuasion, information, statistics, analyses or studies. A person attempts to influence municipal legislation when the person engages in lobbying activities for the purpose of influencing a decision. (Amended by Ord. No. 172,479, Eff. 4/10/99, Oper. 4/1/99.) “City official” means any elective or appointed City officer, member, employee or consultant (who qualifies as a public official within the meaning of the Political Reform Act) of any agency, who, as part of their official duties, participates in the consideration of any municipal legislation other than in a purely clerical, secretarial or ministerial capacity. (Amended by Ord. No. 175,432, Eff. 9/28/03, Oper. 1/1/04.) “Client” means both (1) the person who compensates a lobbyist or lobbying firm for the purpose of attempting to influence municipal legislation and (2) the person on whose behalf a lobbyist or lobbying firm attempts to influence such municipal legislation, even if the lobbyist or lobbying firm is compensated by another person for such representation. However, if a lobbyist or lobbying firm represents a membership organization and individual members of that organization, an individual member is not a client solely because the member is individually represented by the lobbyist or lobbying firm unless the member makes a payment for such representation in addition to usual membership fees. “Client, Administrative” (Deleted by Ord. No. 172,479, Eff. 4/10/99, Oper. 4/1/99.) “Compensated Services” means services for which compensation was paid during a reporting period or for which the lobbyist or lobbying firm became entitled to compensation during that period. “Controlled committee” means any committee controlled by an elective City officer or candidate for any elective City office, including any campaign, officeholder, legal defense fund, or ballot measure committee. (Added by Ord. No. 175,432, Eff. 9/28/03, Oper. 1/1/04.) “Direct communication” means appearing as a witness before, talking to (either by telephone or in person), corresponding with, or answering questions or inquiries from, any City official or employee, either personally or through an agent who acts under one’s direct supervision, control or direction. (Added by Ord. No. 172,479, Eff. 4/10/99, Oper. 4/1/99.) “Donation” means a payment for which full and adequate consideration is not received. (Added by Ord. No. 175,432, Eff. 9/28/03, Oper. 1/1/04.) “Elective City officer” means the Mayor, City Attorney, Controller and Member of the City Council. (Amended by Ord. No. 175,432, Eff. 9/28/03, Oper. 1/1/04.) “Elective Officer” means any person who is a City Council Member, City Attorney, Controller or Mayor, whether appointed or elected. (Added by Ord. No. 175,432, Eff. 9/28/03, Oper. 1/1/04.) “Fundraiser” means an individual who receives compensation to engage in fundraising activity as defined in this section. (Added by Ord. No. 175,432, Eff. 9/28/03, Oper. 1/1/04.) “Fundraising activity” means soliciting a contribution or hosting or sponsoring a fundraising event or hiring a fundraiser or contractor to conduct any event designed primarily for political fundraising at which contributions for an elective City officer, candidate for elective City office, or any of their controlled committees are solicited, delivered or made. (Added by Ord. No. 175,432, Eff. 9/28/03, Oper. 1/1/04.) “Host or sponsor” means to provide the use of a home or business to hold a political fundraising event without charging market value for the use of that location; to ask more than 25 persons to attend the event; to pay for at least a majority of the costs of the event; or to provide the candidate, campaign, committee and/or fundraiser more than 25 names to be used for invitations to the event. (Added by Ord. No. 175,432, Eff. 9/28/03, Oper. 1/1/04.) “Lobbying activities” includes the following and similar compensated conduct when that conduct is related to a direct communication to influence any municipal legislation: (1) engaging in, either personally or through an agent, written or oral direct communication with a City official; (2) drafting ordinances, resolutions or regulations; (3) providing advice or recommending strategy to a client or others; (4) research, investigation and information gathering; (5) seeking to influence the position of a third party on municipal legislation or an issue related to municipal legislation by any means, including but not limited to engaging in community, public or press relations activities; and (6) attending or monitoring City meetings, hearings or other events. (Added by Ord. No. 172,479, Eff. 4/10/99, Oper. 4/1/99.) “Lobbying entity” means a lobbyist, lobbying firm or lobbyist employer, as defined in this article. (Added by Ord. No. 175,432, Eff. 9/28/03, Oper. 1/1/04.) “Lobbying firm” means any entity, including an individual lobbyist, which receives or becomes entitled to receive $1,000 or more in monetary or in-kind compensation for engaging in lobbying activities (either personally or through its agents) during any consecutive three-month period, for the purpose of attempting to influence municipal legislation on behalf of any other person, provided any partner, owner, shareholder, officer or employee of the entity qualifies as a lobbyist. Compensation does not include reimbursement of or payment for reasonable travel expenses. An entity receives compensation within the meaning of this definition whether or not the compensation is received solely for activities regulated by this article or is received for other activities as well; however, only that portion of compensation received for the lobbying activities shall count toward the qualification threshold. An entity “becomes entitled to receive compensation” when the entity agrees to provide services regulated by this article, or performs those services, whether or not payment is contingent on the accomplishment of the client’s purposes. (Amended by Ord. No. 178,064, Eff. 1/15/07.) “Lobbyist” (Amended by Ord. No. 178,064, Eff. 1/15/07.) means any individual who is compensated to spend 30 or more hours in any consecutive three-month period engaged in lobbying activities which include at least one direct communication with a City official or employee, conducted either personally or through agents, for the purpose of attempting to influence municipal legislation on behalf of any person. Compensation does not include reimbursement of or payment for reasonable travel expenses. A person receives compensation within the meaning of this definition whether or not the compensation is received solely for activities regulated by this article or is received for both lobbying activities and other activities as well. However, only the compensation for the lobbying activities shall be calculated to determine whether an individual qualifies as a lobbyist. An individual “becomes entitled to receive compensation” when the individual or the entity in which the individual is an employee, partner, owner, shareholder or officer, agrees to provide services regulated by this article, or performs those services, regardless of whether payment is contingent on the accomplishment of the client’s purposes. A lobbyist includes a person who owns an investment in a business entity if that person attempts to influence municipal legislation on behalf of the business entity and if the person acquires the investment as compensation for the person’s lobbying services or in contemplation of performing those services. “Lobbyist employer” means an entity, other than a lobbying firm, that employs a lobbyist in-house to lobby on its behalf. “Major filer” means any person who makes payments or incurs expenditures totaling $5,000 or more during any calendar quarter for public relations, media relations, advertising, public outreach, research, investigation, reports, analyses, studies, or similar activities, for the purpose of attempting to influence action on any proposed or pending matter of municipal legislation, if these payments or expenditures are not required to be reported on a lobbyist or lobbying firm quarterly report. A “major filer” does not include a lobbyist, lobbyist employer, or lobbying firm. Expenditures and payments for regularly published newsletters or other routine communications between an organization and its members shall not be counted for the purpose of this definition. (Amended by Ord. No. 172,479, Eff. 4/10/99, Oper. 4/1/99.) “Municipal legislation” means any legislative or administrative matter proposed or pending before any agency (as defined in this article), including but not limited to those involving the granting, denial, revocation, restriction or modification of a license, permit or entitlement for use (including all land use permits) if the Mayor, the City Council, any of its committees, any agency board, commission, committee, or general manager, or any agency officer or employee charged by law with holding a hearing and making a decision, is charged by law with making a final decision on the matter. However, “municipal legislation” does not include any of the following: (1) A request for advice or for an interpretation of laws, regulations, City approvals or policies, or a direct response to an enforcement proceeding with the City Ethics Commission. (2) Any ministerial action. An action is ministerial if it does not require the City official or employees involved to exercise discretion concerning any outcome or course of action. (3) Any action relating to the establishment, amendment, administration, implementation or interpretation of a collective bargaining agreement or memorandum of understanding between an agency and a recognized employee organization, or a proceeding before the Civil Service Commission or the Employee Relations Board. Further, it does not include management decisions as to the working conditions of represented employees that clearly relate to the terms of such collective bargaining agreement or memorandum of understanding. Nevertheless, “municipal legislation” does include any action relating to collective bargaining taken by the City Council, any of its committees or members (including the staffs of such members), or by the Mayor or the Mayor’s office. (4) Preparation or compilation of any radius map, vicinity map, plot plan, site plan, property owners or tenants list, abutting property owners list, photographs of property, proof of ownership or copy of lease, or neighbor signatures required to be submitted to the City Planning Department. (Amended by Ord. No. 172,479, Eff. 4/10/99, Oper. 4/1/99.) “Person” means any individual, business entity, trust, corporation, association, committee, or any other organization or group of persons acting in concert. “Solicit” means to ask, personally or through an agent, that another person make a contribution to an elective City officer or candidate for City office, or to their controlled committee, including allowing one’s signature to be used on a written request for funds. For purposes of this article, a lobbying entity solicits a contribution only when the lobbying entity does so (i) at the behest of the elective City officer or candidate for elective City office, or their campaign treasurer, campaign manager, or member of their fundraising committee, or (ii) if the lobbying entity has informed the candidate or officer that the person is soliciting the contributions. A person does not solicit, however, by making a request for funds publicly to at least a majority of persons who attend any public gathering, or by making a request that appears published in a newspaper, on radio or television. (Added by Ord. No. 175,432, Eff. 9/28/03, Oper. 1/1/04.)

Los Angeles Municipal Code § 48.03 EXEMPTIONS.

SEC. 48.03. EXEMPTIONS. (Title and Section Amended by Ord. No. 169,916, Eff. 8/10/94.) The following persons are exempt from the requirements of this article: A. Any public official acting in their official capacity, and any government employee acting within the scope of their employment. B. A newspaper or other regularly published periodical, radio or television station or network, including any individual who owns, publishes or is employed by such newspaper, periodical or station or network, when, in the ordinary course of its business, it publishes or broadcasts news, editorials or other comments, or paid advertising, which directly or indirectly attempts to influence action on municipal legislation. This exemption does not apply to any other action by any such newspaper, periodical, station or network, or by any such person, to attempt to influence municipal legislation, if such activity is otherwise regulated by this article. C. A person acting without any compensation or consideration other than reimbursement or payment of reasonable travel expenses. D. Any person whose only activity is submitting a bid on a competitively bid contract, submitting a written response to or participating in an oral interview for a request for proposals or qualifications, or negotiating the terms of a written agreement with any City agency if selected pursuant to that bid or request for proposals or qualifications. Except with regard to persons covered by Subsections E and F, this exemption shall not apply to any person who attempts to influence the action of the Mayor or Mayor’s staff, any member of the City Council or their staffs, or any board or commission member with regard to any such contract. E. Any organization exempt from federal taxation pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, which receives funding from any federal, state or local government agency for the purpose of representing the interests of indigent persons and whose primary purpose is to provide direct services to those persons, if the individual or individuals represented by the organization before any City agency provide no payment to the organization for that representation. This exemption shall not apply to direct contacts with a City official in other than a publicly noticed meeting, for the purpose of attempting to influence a City decision with regard to any City funding which the organization is seeking. F. Any person employed by an organization described in Subsection E. with respect to the person’s activities as an employee of the organization.

Los Angeles Municipal Code § 48.04 PROHIBITIONS.

SEC. 48.04. PROHIBITIONS. (Title and Section Amended by Ord. No. 169,916, Eff. 8/10/94.) No lobbyist or lobbying firm subject to the requirements of this article shall: A. Do any act with the purpose and intent of placing any City official under personal obligation to the lobbyist, the lobbying firm, or to the lobbyist’s or firm’s employer or client. B. Fraudulently deceive or attempt to deceive any City official with regard to any material fact pertinent to any pending or proposed municipal legislation. C. Cause or influence the introduction of any municipal legislation for the purpose of thereafter being employed or retained to secure its passage or defeat. D. Cause any communication to be sent to any City official in the name of any non-existent person or in the name of any existing person without the consent of such person. E. Make or arrange for any payment to a City official, or act as an agent or intermediary in making any such payment by any other person, if the arrangement or the payment would violate any provision of the City’s Governmental Ethics Ordinance (Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 49.5.1, et seq.).

Los Angeles Municipal Code § 48.05 RECORD-KEEPING RESPONSIBILITIES.

SEC. 48.05. RECORD-KEEPING RESPONSIBILITIES. (Amended by Ord. No. 175,432, Eff. 9/28/03, Oper. 1/1/04.) A. Lobbying entities and major filers shall prepare and retain detailed records (including all books, papers and other documents) needed to comply with the requirements of this article. Treasurers and fundraisers for elective City officeholders and City candidates, or for any elective City officer’s or City candidate’s controlled committees shall prepare and retain detailed contribution activity records for any contributions received as a result of fundraising activity engaged in by a lobbyist, lobbying firm or lobbyist employer, as defined by this article. These records shall be retained for not less than four years. B. If a lobbying entity engages in fundraising activities as defined in Section 48.02 of this Code at the behest of a candidate or officeholder running for elective City office, the lobbying entity shall maintain records detailing any contributions that they know or have reason to know resulted from the fundraising activities. C. If an officeholder or a candidate running for elective City office contracts with a lobbying entity to engage in fundraising activity as described in Section 48.02 of this Code, the committee treasurer and fundraiser shall maintain records detailing any contributions that they know or have reason to know resulted from the fundraising activities. The treasurer and fundraiser shall make the records available to the lobbying entity upon request of the lobbying entity. D. If a lobbying entity delivers or sends written communications to a certified neighborhood council in an attempt to influence municipal legislation as described in Section 48.08.8 of this Article, the lobbying entity shall prepare and maintain detailed records of these written communications for not less than four years. (Added by Ord. No. 176,034, Eff. 7/26/04.)

Los Angeles Municipal Code § 48.06 FILING METHODS.

SEC. 48.06. FILING METHODS. (Title and Section Amended by Ord. No. 182,360, Eff. 1/30/13.) A. All registrations, reports, and other filings required by this Article must be submitted under penalty of perjury by the person who is required to file and must be filed in a format prescribed by the Ethics Commission. The Ethics Commission must provide public access to all filings. B. Lobbying entities and persons who qualify as lobbying entities must file registrations, quarterly reports, terminations and amendments to those filings electronically. C. If an electronic filing is required, the Ethics Commission must provide a unique identifier to the person who is required to file, to be used in place of a physical signature for submitting and verifying data under penalty of perjury. All electronic filings are presumed to be filed under penalty of perjury by the person required to file. D. If a paper filing is required, it must contain the physical signature of the person who is required to file. A document is considered filed on the earlier of the date of receipt by the Ethics Commission or the date of the postmark if it is mailed and bears the correct address and postage.

Los Angeles Municipal Code § 48.06.1 ONLINE FILING OF LOBBYING REGISTRATION AND DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS.

SEC. 48.06.1. ONLINE FILING OF LOBBYING REGISTRATION AND DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS. (Repealed by Ord. No. 182,360, Eff. 1/30/13.)

Los Angeles Municipal Code § 48.07 REGISTRATION.

SEC. 48.07. REGISTRATION. (Amended by Ord. No. 172,479, Eff. 4/10/99, Oper. 4/1/99.) A. Requirement. An individual who qualifies as a lobbyist shall register with the City Ethics Commission within 10 days after the end of the calendar month in which the individual qualifies as a lobbyist. A person, including an individual lobbyist, shall register with the City Ethics Commission as a lobbying firm within 10 days after the end of the calendar month in which a partner, owner, shareholder, officer or employee qualifies as a lobbyist. If a person is not registered as a lobbyist or lobbying firm, but is performing acts which would require that person to so register, that person may continue to act as a lobbyist or lobbying firm so long as the person registers with the City Ethics Commission within 10 days after the person knew or should have known of the obligation to register. A lobbyist or lobbying firm shall register each client on whose behalf or from which the lobbyist or lobbying firm receives or becomes entitled to receive $250 or more in a calendar quarter for engaging in lobbying activities related to attempting to influence municipal legislation. B. Duration of Status. A person who registers as a lobbyist or lobbying firm shall retain that status through December 31 of that year unless and until that person terminates the status as set forth below. C. Registration Fees. Every lobbyist shall pay an annual registration fee of $450 plus $75 for each client on whose behalf or from which the lobbyist receives or becomes entitled to receive $250 or more in a calendar quarter. Persons who initially register during the last quarter of a calendar year (October through December) shall pay prorated registration fees of $337 for each lobbyist plus $56 for each client. (Amended by Ord. No. 175,028, Eff. 2/5/03.) D. Contents of Registration Statements – Lobbyists. Registration statements of lobbyists shall contain the following: 1. The lobbyist’s name, business address, business email, and business telephone number. (Amended by Ord. No. 182,360, Eff. 1/30/13.) 2. The lobbying firm, if any, of which the lobbyist is an employee, partner, officer or owner. 3. If the lobbyist is not an employee, partner, officer or owner of a lobbying firm, the name, address and telephone number of the lobbyist’s employer. (Amended by Ord. No. 182,360, Eff. 1/30/13.) 4. Each City agency that the lobbyist has the authority to attempt to influence on behalf of any client or employer. 5. A statement that the lobbyist has reviewed and understands the requirements of this article. 6. Any other information required by regulation of the City Ethics Commission, consistent with the purposes and provisions of this article. E. Contents of Registration Statements – Lobbying Firms. Registration statements of lobbying firms (including individual contract lobbyists) shall contain the following: 1. The name, address, email, and telephone number of the firm. (Amended by Ord. No. 182,360, Eff. 1/30/13.) 2. The name of each lobbyist who is a partner, owner, shareholder, officer or employee of the firm. 3. For each client on whose behalf or from which the firm received or became entitled to receive $250 in compensation during the calendar quarter for engaging in lobbying activities related to attempting to influence municipal legislation within the meaning of this Article: (Renumbered and Amended by Ord. No. 182,360, Eff. 1/30/13.) (a) The client’s name, business or residence address, and business or residence telephone number. (b) The period during which the representation will occur. (c) The item or items of municipal legislation for which the firm was retained to represent the client, or, if no specific items of municipal legislation for which the firm was retained to represent the client can be identified, a description of the types of municipal legislation for which the firm was retained to represent the client. (d) Each City agency that the lobbying firm has the authority to attempt to influence on behalf of the client. (e) In the case of a lobbyist who is an individual contract lobbyist, a statement that the lobbyist has reviewed and understands the requirements of this Article. (f) The name, address, email, and telephone number of the person responsible for preparing the statement. (g) Any other information required by regulation of the City Ethics Commission, consistent with the purposes and provisions of this Article. F. Amendments to Registrations. Lobbyists and lobbying firms shall file amendments to their registration statements within 10 days of any change in information required to be set forth on the registration statement. (Renumbered and Former Subsection F. deleted by Ord. No. 182,360, Eff. 1/30/13.) G. Termination. Any person registered under this Article shall file a termination statement with the City Ethics Commission within 20 days after ceasing all activity governed by this Article. (Renumbered and Amended by Ord. No. 182,360, Eff. 1/30/13.) H. Education Requirement. Every individual who is required to register as a lobbyist shall attend a City lobbying information session conducted by the City Ethics Commission no less than once every two calendar years, according to the following schedule: (Renumbered by Ord. No. 182,360, Eff. 1/30/13.) (1) An individual who has not registered as a lobbyist in the immediately preceding two calendar years shall attend a City lobbying information session within six months of the individual’s registration date as a lobbyist. (2) A registered lobbyist who did not attend a City lobbying information session during the previous calendar year shall attend a City lobbying session by the end of the current calendar year. (3) A registered lobbyist who attends a City lobbying information session during the current calendar year is not required to attend a City lobbying information session during the following calendar year.

Los Angeles Municipal Code § 48.08 DISCLOSURE REPORTS.

SEC. 48.08. DISCLOSURE REPORTS. (Title Amended by Ord. No. 175,432, Eff. 9/28/03, Oper. 1/1/04.) A. Reporting Requirement. Every lobbyist, lobbying firm, lobbyist employer and major filer shall file the quarterly disclosure reports required by this Section on or before the last day of the month following each calendar quarter. (Amended by Ord. No. 182,360, Eff. 1/30/13.) 1. All lobbyists and lobbying firms shall file quarterly reports for every calendar quarter during which they retain that status. An individual who qualifies both as a lobbyist and lobbying firm shall file only a lobbying firm quarterly report. Lobbyist employers shall file quarterly reports for every calendar quarter during which any individual employed by that employer retains the status as lobbyist. Information required to be disclosed concerning compensation received or expenditures made for lobbying shall be disclosed either by the lobbyist or by their lobbying firm or employer. 2. Major filers shall file quarterly reports for every calendar quarter during which they made qualifying payments or incurred qualifying expenditures totaling $5,000 or more. 3. Quarterly reports shall disclose all required information for the calendar quarter immediately prior to the month in which the report is required to be filed. (Amended by Ord. No. 182,360, Eff. 1/30/13.) B. Quarterly Reports by Lobbyists – Contents. Quarterly reports by lobbyists shall contain the following information: 1. The lobbyist’s name, business address and business telephone number. 2. The lobbying firm, if any, of which the lobbyist is a partner, owner, shareholder, officer or employee. 3. If the lobbyist is not a partner, officer or owner of a lobbying firm, the name, address and telephone number of the lobbyist’s employer. 4. The date, amount and description of each activity expense of $25 or more made by the lobbyist during the reporting period, the name and title of the City official benefiting from the expense, the name and address of the payee, and the client, if any, on whose behalf the expense was made. An activity expense shall be considered to be made on behalf of a client if the client requested or authorized the expense or if the expense was made in connection with an event at which the lobbyist attempted to influence the official on behalf of the client. 5. The total amount of activity expenses made by the lobbyist during the reporting period, whether or not itemized. 6. The name of any elective City officer, candidate for elective City office, or any controlled committee of the officer or candidate to which the lobbyist made contributions of $100 or more, or which were delivered by the lobbyist, or in connection with which the lobbyist acted as an intermediary during the reporting period, and the date and amount of the contribution. (Amended by Ord. No. 175,432, Eff. 9/28/03, Oper. 1/1/04.) 7. The name of any elective City officer, candidate for elective City office, or any City controlled committee of the officer or candidate for which the lobbyist engaged in any fundraising activity during the reporting period, the date(s) of the activity and the amount of funds the lobbyist knows or has reason to know were raised as a result of the activity. (Added by Ord. No. 175,432, Eff. 9/28/03, Oper. 1/1/04.) 8. The date and amount of one or more contributions aggregating more than $1,000 made by the lobbyist at the behest of an elective City officer or candidate for elective City office during the reporting period to any and all controlled committees of any other elective City officer or candidate for elective City office, the name and address of the payee, the name of the elective City officer or candidate for elective City office who made the behest and the date of the behest. (Added by Ord. No. 175,432, Eff. 9/28/03, Oper. 1/1/04.) 9. The date, amount and description of one or more donations aggregating $1,000 or more made by the lobbyist at the behest of an elective City officer or candidate for elective City office during the reporting period to any religious, charitable or other nonprofit organization, the name and address of the payee, the name of the elective City officer or candidate for elective City office who made the behest and the date of the behest. (Added by Ord. No. 175,432, Eff. 9/28/03, Oper. 1/1/04.) 10. If, during the quarterly reporting period, the lobbyist provided compensated services, including consulting services, to the campaign of any candidate for elective City office, or to a campaign for or against any City ballot measure, the name of the candidate, the elective City office sought by the candidate, the ballot number or letter of the ballot measure, the date of the election, the amount of compensation earned for the compensated services, and a description of the nature of the services provided. Such information shall be reported if the lobbyist personally provided the services, or if the services were provided by a business entity in which the lobbyist owns at least a 10% investment, whether the compensation was provided directly to the lobbyist or to such business entity. (Former Subdivision B.7. redesignated by Ord. No. 175,432, Eff. 9/28/03, Oper. 1/1/04.) 11. If, during the quarterly reporting period, the lobbyist provided compensated services under contract with the City or with any City agency, including consulting services, the amount of compensation received, the agency for which the services were provided, a description or other identification of the contract and the nature of the services provided. Such information shall be reported if the lobbyist personally provided the services, or if the services were provided by a business entity in which the lobbyist owns at least a 10% investment, whether the compensation was provided directly to the lobbyist or to such business entity. (Former Subdivision B.8. redesignated by Ord. No. 175,432, Eff. 9/28/03, Oper. 1/1/04.) 12. Each City agency that the lobbyist attempted to influence. (Former Subdivision B.9. redesignated by Ord. No. 175,432, Eff. 9/28/03, Oper. 1/1/04.) 13. Any other information required by regulation of the City Ethics Commission, consistent with the purposes and provisions of this article. (Former Subdivision B.10. redesignated by Ord. No. 175,432, Eff. 9/28/03, Oper. 1/1/04.) C. Quarterly Reports by Lobbying Firms – Contents. Quarterly reports by lobbying firms, including individual contract lobbyists, shall contain the following information: (Amended by Ord. No. 182,360, Eff. 1/30/13.) 1. The name, address, email, and telephone number of the firm. 2. The name of each lobbyist who is a partner, owner, shareholder, officer or employee of the firm. 3. The name, address and telephone number of each client that is required to be registered and was represented by the firm during the reporting period; a description of each item of municipal legislation for which the firm or its lobbyists represented the client during the reporting period; the total amount of payments received by the firm from each client (including all fees, reimbursements for expenses and other payments) during the reporting period for such representation. 4. The total payments received from clients required to be registered by the firm during the reporting period in connection with the firm’s representation of clients on municipal legislation. 5. The date, amount and description of each activity expense of $25 or more made by the lobbying firm during the reporting period, the name and title of the City official benefiting from the expense, the name and address of the payee, and the client, if any, on whose behalf the expense was made. An activity expense shall be considered to be made on behalf of a client if the client requested or authorized the expense or if the expense was made in connection with an event at which the lobbying firm attempted to influence the official on behalf of the client. 6. The total amount of activity expenses made by the lobbying firm during the reporting period, whether or not itemized. 7. The total amount of expenses incurred in connection with attempts by the firm to influence municipal legislation. These expenses shall include: (a) total payments to lobbyists employed by the firm; (b) total payments to employees of the firm, other than lobbyists, who engaged in attempts to influence municipal legislation during the reporting period; and (c) all expenses attributable to attempts to influence municipal legislation, other than overhead, and other expenses that would not be incurred but for the attempts to influence. Each such expense of $5,000 or more shall be itemized and described. 8. The name of any elective City officer, candidate for elective City office, or any controlled committee of the officer or candidate to which the lobbying firm made contributions of $100 or more, or which were delivered by the lobbying firm, or in connection with which the lobbying firm acted as an intermediary during the reporting period, and the date and amount of the contribution. (Amended by Ord. No. 175,432, Eff. 9/28/03, Oper. 1/1/04.) 9. The name of any elective City officer, candidate for elective City office, or any City controlled committee of the officer or candidate for which the lobbying firm engaged in any fundraising activity during the reporting period, the date(s) of the activity and the amount of funds the lobbying firm knows or has reason to know were raised as a result of the activity. (Added by Ord. No. 175,432, Eff. 9/28/03, Oper. 1/1/04.) 10. The date and amount of one or more contributions aggregating more than $1,000 made by the lobbying firm at the behest of an elective City officer or candidate for elective City office during the reporting period to any and all controlled committees of any other elective City officer or candidate for elective City office, the name and address of the payee, the name of the elective City officer or candidate for elective City office who made the behest and the date of the behest. (Added by Ord. No. 175,432, Eff. 9/28/03, Oper. 1/1/04.) 11. The date, amount and description of one or more donations aggregating $1,000 or more made by the lobbying firm at the behest of an elective City officer or candidate for elective City office during the reporting period to any religious, charitable or other nonprofit organization, the name and address of the payee, the name of the elective City officer or candidate for elective City office who made the behest and the date of the behest. (Added by Ord. No. 175,432, Eff. 9/28/03, Oper. 1/1/04.) 12. If, during the quarterly reporting period, the lobbying firm provided compensated services, including consulting services, to the campaign of any candidate for elective City office, or to a campaign for or against any City ballot measure, the name of the candidate, the elective City office sought by the candidate, the ballot number or letter of the ballot measure, the date of the election, the amount of compensation earned for the compensated services and a description of the services provided. 13. If, during the quarterly reporting period, the lobbying firm provided compensated services under contract with the City or with any agency, including consulting services, the amount of compensation received, the agency for which the services were provided, a description or other identification of the contract and the nature of the services provided. For an individual contract lobbyist who qualifies as a lobbying firm, such information shall be reported if the lobbyist personally provided the services, or if the services were provided by a business entity in which the lobbyist owns at least a 10% investment, regardless of whether the compensation was provided directly to the lobbyist or to such business entity. 14. For an individual contract lobbyist who qualifies as a lobbying firm, each City agency that the lobbyist attempted to influence. 15. The name, address, email, and telephone number of the person responsible for preparing the report. 16. Any other information required by regulation of the City Ethics Commission, consistent with the purposes and provisions of this article. D. Quarterly Reports by Lobbyist Employers – Contents. Quarterly reports by lobbyist employers shall contain the following information. (Amended by Ord. No. 182,360, Eff. 1/30/13.) 1. The name, address, email, and telephone number of the entity filing the report. 2. The name of each lobbyist who is employed by the entity. 3. Total payments during the reporting period to lobbyists employed by the entity. Such payments shall include solely payments for compensation and reimbursement of expenses relating to the lobbyists’ attempts to influence municipal legislation. 4. Total payments to employees of the entity, other than lobbyists, who engaged in attempts to influence municipal legislation during the reporting period. Such payments shall include payments for compensation and reimbursement of expenses relating to such persons’ attempts to influence municipal legislation. 5. Total payments for expenses incurred in connection with attempts by the entity during the reporting period to influence municipal legislation. These expenses shall include all expenses attributable to attempts to influence municipal legislation, other than overhead, and other expenses that would not be incurred but for the attempts to influence. Each such expense of $5,000 or more shall be itemized and described. 6. A description of each item of municipal legislation which the entity attempted to influence during the reporting period. 7. The date, amount and description of each activity expense of $25 or more made by the lobbyist employer during the reporting period, the name and title of the City official benefiting from the expense, and the name and address of the payee. 8. The total amount of activity expenses made by the lobbyist employer during the reporting period, whether or not itemized. 9. The name of any elective City officer, candidate for elective City office, or any controlled committee of the officer or candidate to which the lobbyist employer made contributions of $100 or more, or which were delivered by the lobbyist employer, or in connection with which the lobbyist employer acted as an intermediary during the reporting period, and the date and amount of the contribution. (Amended by Ord. No. 175,432, Eff. 9/28/03, Oper. 1/1/04.) 10. The name of any elective City officer, candidate for elective City office, or any City controlled committee of the officer or candidate for which the lobbyist employer engaged in any fundraising activity during the reporting period, the date(s) of the activity and the amount of funds the lobbyist employer knows or has reason to know were raised as a result of the activity. (Added by Ord. No. 175,432, Eff. 9/28/03, Oper. 1/1/04.) 11. The date and amount of one or more contributions aggregating more than $1,000 made by the lobbyist employer at the behest of an elective City officer or candidate for elective City office during the reporting period to any and all controlled committees of any other elective City officer or candidate for elective City office, the name and address of the payee, the name of the elective City officer or candidate for elective City office who made the behest and the date of the behest. (Added by Ord. No. 175,432, Eff. 9/28/03, Oper. 1/1/04.) 12. The date, amount and description of one or more donations aggregating $1,000 or more made by the lobbyist employer at the behest of an elective City officer or candidate for elective City office during the reporting period to any religious, charitable or other nonprofit organization, the name and address of the payee, the name of the elective City officer or candidate for elective City office who made the behest and the date of the behest. (Added by Ord. No. 175,432, Eff. 9/28/03, Oper. 1/1/04.) 13. The name, address, email, and telephone number of the person responsible for preparing the report. 14. Any other information required by regulation of the City Ethics Commission, consistent with the purposes and provisions of this article. E. Quarterly Reports by Major Filers – Contents. Quarterly reports by major filers shall contain the following information: 1. The name, address and telephone number of the person filing the report. 2. A description of each item of municipal legislation which the entity attempted to influence during the reporting period. 3. The total payments made during the reporting period for the purpose of attempting to influence action on each proposed or pending matter of municipal legislation. 4. The name, address and telephone number of the person responsible for preparing the report. 5. Any other information required by regulation of the City Ethics Commission, consistent with the purposes and provision of this article.

Los Angeles Municipal Code § 48.08.5 COPIES OF SOLICITATIONS.

SEC. 48.08.5. COPIES OF SOLICITATIONS. (Added by Ord. No. 175,432, Eff. 9/28/03, Oper. 1/1/04.) Each lobbying entity that produces, pays for, mails or distributes more than 50 substantially similar copies of a written political fundraising solicitation for any controlled committee of an elective City officer or candidate relating to seeking or holding City elective office or supporting or opposing a City ballot measure shall send a copy of the solicitation to the City Ethics Commission for public access, at the time the solicitation is sent or otherwise distributed, and shall report on its next quarterly report the date(s) on which it is mailed or distributed and a general description of the content of the solicitation, the number of pieces mailed or distributed, and name of the elective City officer, or candidate or City ballot measure committee for which the funds were solicited.

Los Angeles Municipal Code § 48.08.6 LOBBYING DISCLOSURE - POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS.

SEC. 48.08.6. LOBBYING DISCLOSURE - POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS. (Added by Ord. No. 175,432, Eff. 9/28/03, Oper. 1/1/04.) A. Each lobbying entity, which makes one or more contributions to an elective City officer and/or to any or all of the officer’s controlled committees, shall file a notice with the City Ethics Commission each time the making of a contribution results in the lobbying entity having made contributions aggregating more than $7,000 to the officer and/or the officer’s controlled committees within the past 12 months. The notice shall be filed on a form prescribed by the Commission within one business day after making a contribution that triggers the filing requirement. The notice shall contain the following information: 1. The name, address and telephone number of the filer, the name of the elective City officer, and/or any or all of the officer’s controlled committees, to which the lobbying entity made contributions aggregating more than $7,000 during the past twelve months, and the date and amount of each contribution. 2. For purposes of this section, a “controlled committee” does not include any committee controlled by an elective City officer that is (a) formed to support or oppose a ballot measure or (b) formed to support the election of that officer to other than elective City office. B. The original notice shall be filed with the City Ethics Commission, and copies shall be filed with the City Clerk and the elective City officer involved. Each notice may only include information relative to one elective officer. C. The form shall be considered filed on the date of the postmark or on the date of delivery to the City Ethics Commission, whichever is earlier. D. The form shall be verified under penalty of perjury by the individual filing it or by an officer of the entity authorized to file it. E. The City Ethics Commission shall post the information in the notice on its website within one business day of its receipt of the notice. The City Clerk shall make the notice available for inspection within one business day of its receipt.

Los Angeles Municipal Code § 48.08.7 LOBBYING DISCLOSURE - FUNDRAISING ACTIVITY.

SEC. 48.08.7. LOBBYING DISCLOSURE - FUNDRAISING ACTIVITY. (Added by Ord. No. 175,432, Eff. 9/28/03, Oper. 1/1/04.) A. Every lobbying entity who within any 12 month period (i) engaged in fundraising activities on behalf of an elective City officer and/or any and all of the officer’s controlled committees, and which knows or has reason to know that the fundraising activities resulted in contributions, and/or (ii) delivered or acted as an intermediary for one or more contributions to the elective City officer and/or any and all of the officer’s controlled committees, shall file a notice with the City Ethics Commission any time the activities identified in (i) and/or (ii) aggregate more than $15,000 in the case of a member of the City Council, or more than $35,000 in the case of the Mayor, City Attorney, or Controller. The notice shall be filed on a form prescribed by the City Ethics Commission within one business day after any of these thresholds is exceeded. The notice shall contain the following information: 1. The name, address and telephone number of the filer, the name of the elective City officer, and/or any or all of the officer’s controlled committees, on whose behalf the lobbying entity engaged in fundraising activities, or delivered or acted as intermediary for one or more contributions to the elective City officer and/or any and all of the officer’s controlled committees, the date of the fundraising activity, and the amount of contributions raised, delivered or in connection with which the lobbying entity acted as an intermediary. 2. For purposes of this section, a “controlled committee” does not include any committee controlled by an elective City officer that is (a) formed to support or oppose a ballot measure or (b) formed to support the election of that officer to other than elective City office. 3. For purposes of this notification, if a fundraising event is sponsored or hosted by more than one person, the amount of contributions received at or as a result of the event shall be attributed to each lobbying entity who hosted or sponsored the event according to the amount of the contributions that resulted from that lobbying entity’s fundraising activities. If a contribution results from the fundraising of more than one person and/or lobbying entity, that contribution shall be apportioned equally to each of the persons and/or lobbying entity that engaged in the fundraising activity. B. The original notice shall be filed with the City Ethics Commission, and copies shall be filed with the City Clerk and the elective City officer involved. Each notice may only include information relative to one elective officer. C. The form shall be considered filed on the date of the postmark or on the date of delivery to the City Ethics Commission, whichever is earlier. D. The form shall be verified under penalty of perjury by the individual filing it or by an officer of the entity authorized to file it. E. The City Ethics Commission shall post the information in the notice on its website within one business day of its receipt of the notice. The City Clerk shall make the notice available for inspection within one business day of its receipt.

Los Angeles Municipal Code § 48.08.8 LOBBYING DISCLOSURE - WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS TO NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCILS.

SEC. 48.08.8. LOBBYING DISCLOSURE - WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS TO NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCILS. (Added by Ord. No. 176,034, Eff. 7/26/04.) (a) No lobbying entity registered with the City of Los Angeles shall deliver or send to a certified neighborhood council a written communication on behalf of a client, including, but not limited to, letters, faxes, electronic messages, and flyers, without a disclosure indicating that the communication was delivered or sent by that lobbying entity. (b) For purposes of subsection (a), the required disclosure shall be printed clearly and legibly in no less than 8-point type in a color or print that contrasts with the background so as to be legible and shall be presented in a clear and conspicuous manner in the written communication. The disclosure shall include all of the following information applicable to the written communication: (1) The name of the lobbyist(s) that prepares, delivers or sends the written communication; (2) The name of the registered lobbying firm(s) or lobbyist employer(s) who employs the lobbyist(s) that prepares, delivers or sends the written communication; and, (3) The name of the client or clients on whose behalf the lobbying entity prepares, delivers, or sends the written communication in an attempt to influence municipal legislation.

Los Angeles Municipal Code § 48.09 COMPLIANCE MEASURES AND ENFORCEMENT.

SEC. 48.09. COMPLIANCE MEASURES AND ENFORCEMENT. (Title and Section Amended by Ord. No. 169,916, Eff. 8/10/94.) A. Audits. The City Ethics Commission shall have the authority to conduct audits of reports and statements filed pursuant to this article. Such audits may be conducted on a random basis or when the City Ethics Commission staff has reason to believe that a report or statement may be inaccurate or has not been filed. B. Criminal Penalties. 1. Any person who knowingly or willfully violates any provision of this article is guilty of a misdemeanor. Any person who knowingly or willfully causes any other person to violate any provision of this article, or who knowingly or willfully aids and abets any other person in the violation of any provision of this article, is guilty of a misdemeanor. 2. Prosecution for violation of any provision of this article must be commenced within one year after the date on which the violation occurred. 3. No person convicted of a violation of this article may act as a lobbyist or otherwise attempt to influence municipal legislation for compensation for one year after such conviction. C. Civil Enforcement. 1. Any person who knowingly violates any provision of Section 48.04 shall be liable in a civil action brought by the City Attorney. Any person who intentionally or negligently violates any other provisions of this article shall be liable in a civil action brought by the City Attorney. Failure to properly report any receipt or expenditure may result in civil penalties not to exceed the amount not properly reported, or $2,000, whichever is greater. Any other violation may result in civil penalties no greater than $2,000. If the court determines that a violation was intentional, the court may order that the defendant be prohibited from acting as a lobbyist or otherwise attempting to influence municipal legislation for one year. 2. In determining the amount of liability pursuant to this subsection, the court shall take into account the seriousness of the violation and the degree of culpability of the defendant. 3. If two or more persons are responsible for any violation, they shall be jointly and severally liable. 4. No civil action alleging a violation of this article shall be filed more than four years after the date the violation occurred. D. Injunction. The City Attorney on behalf of the people of the City of Los Angeles may seek injunctive relief to enjoin violations of or to compel compliance with the provisions of this article. E. Administrative Penalties. The City Ethics Commission may impose penalties and issue orders for violation of this article pursuant to its authority under Charter Section 706(c). (Charter Section No. Amended by Ord. No. 172,942, Eff. 1/21/00, Oper. 7/1/00.) F. Late Filing Penalties. In addition to any other penalty or remedy available, if any person fails to file any report or statement required by this article, after any deadline imposed by this article, such person shall be liable to the City Ethics Commission in the amount of twenty-five dollars ($25) per day after the deadline until the statement or report is filed, up to a maximum amount of $500. Liability need not be enforced by the Commission if its Executive Officer determines that the late filing was not willful and that enforcement of the penalty would not further the purposes of this article. No liability shall be waived if a statement or report is not filed within 10 days after the Commission has sent specific written notice to the filer of the filing requirement. G. Restriction on Person Who Violates Certain Laws. (Added by Ord. No. 171,142, Eff. 8/3/96.) 1. No person shall act or continue to act as a registered lobbyist or lobbying firm if, within the prior four years, that person has been found by the City Ethics Commission, in a proceeding pursuant to Charter Section 706, to have violated Charter Section 470(k) on any occasion. That determination shall be based either on a finding of the City Ethics Commission made after an administrative hearing or on a stipulation by the lobbyist or lobbying firm entered into with the City Ethics Commission within the previous four years. (Charter Section Nos. Amended by Ord. No. 172,942, Eff. 1/21/00, Oper. 7/1/00.) 2. If the City Ethics Commission makes a finding that the person has either (1) accepted responsibility for the violation in the form of having entered into a stipulation with the City Ethics Commission in which the party admits the violation, or otherwise exhibits evidence of having accepted such responsibility, or (2) mitigated the wrongdoing by taking prompt remedial or corrective action, then the City Ethics Commission may reduce the time period during which the above prohibition would apply to a period of not less than one year. H. Contract Bidder Certification of Compliance With Lobbying Laws. (Amended by Ord. No. 179,934, Eff. 7/21/08.) 1. A bidder for a contract, as those terms are defined in Los Angeles Administrative Code Section 10.40.1, shall submit with its bid a certification, through a form prescribed by the Ethics Commission, that the bidder acknowledges and agrees to comply with the disclosure requirements and prohibitions established in the Los Angeles Municipal Lobbying Ordinance if the bidder qualifies as a lobbying entity under Section 48.02 of this article. An agency may permit the electronic submission of the form and the use of electronic signatures that comply with California’s electronic signature laws, but an agency may not alter the content of the form. The exemptions contained in Section 48.03 of this article and Los Angeles Administrative Code Section 10.40.4 shall not apply to this subsection. (Amended by Ord. No. 186,109, Eff. 6/13/19.) 2. Each agency shall include the Municipal Lobbying Ordinance in each invitation for bids, request for proposals, request for qualifications, or other solicitation related to entering into a contract with the City. The ordinance must be provided in at least 10-point font and may be provided on paper, in an electronic format, or through a link to an online version of the ordinance. The ordinance is not required to be printed in a newspaper notice of the solicitation. 3. This subsection does not apply to the renewal, extension, or amendment of an existing contract, as long as the solicitation for the original contract met the requirements in Paragraphs 1. and 2. above and the renewal, extension, or amendment does not involve a new solicitation. 4. For purposes of this subsection, “agency” does not include a state agency operating solely within the City such as the Community Redevelopment Agency or Los Angeles City Housing Authority.

Los Angeles Municipal Code § 48.10 ETHICS COMMISSION REPORTS.

SEC. 48.10. ETHICS COMMISSION REPORTS. (Added by Ord. No. 169,916, Eff. 8/10/94.) As soon as practicable after the close of each quarterly reporting period, the City Ethics Commission shall prepare a report to the Mayor and City Council of lobbying activity which occurred during the reporting period. Such report shall be in a form which, in the opinion of the Commission, best describes the activities, receipts and expenditures of persons subject to the requirements of this article.

Los Angeles Municipal Code § 48.11 SEVERABILITY.

SEC. 48.11. SEVERABILITY. (Added by Ord. No. 169,916, Eff. 8/10/94.) If any provision of this article, or its application to any person or circumstance, is held invalid by any court, the remainder of this article and its application to other persons and circumstances, other than that which has been held invalid, shall not be affected by such invalidity, and to that extent the provisions of this article are declared to be severable.

Source: City of Los Angeles, Charter and Codes (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/los_angeles/latest/lamc/0-0-0-133235Fetched: 10/24/2026