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City of Columbus Enacts Registration Requirements
for Lobbyists
Faith M. Williams
Bricker & Eckler LLP
July 2006
The City of Columbus now requires that all “Legislative Agents” register their affiliation with the city clerk.
Initial registration is required by July 23, 2006. This article provides a summary of the
city’s ordinance. Additional information is available on the city’s website.
Do You Need to Register as a Legislative Agent?
Legislative Agent: You are a “Legislative Agent” and must register with the City of Columbus if you are:
Exempt Persons: The following individuals are not required to register:
Elected officials and their staffs
Federal, state, and local government employees advocating on behalf of that organization
Employees of public school districts, colleges, or universities advocating on behalf of that organization
A business owner, president, CEO, Executive Director, or Board member advocating on
behalf of that organization, who is not paid to actively advocate as one of his/her main purposes
Elected officers of labor organizations
Private citizens advocating on their own behalf
Exempt Activities: Individuals engaged exclusively in the following types of activities are not required to register:
Reporters gathering or furnishing information
Individuals appearing before meetings of committees of city council or the full council, and appearances before public hearings of the committees of the council
News, editorial and advertising statements in any media
Individuals providing professional services relating to legislation (including drafting or interpreting legislation) who do not receive compensation to advocate for specific legislation
Related Registration Requirements
New clients must be reported by the Legislative Agent within ten days of the date of the engagement.
Updates to a Legislative Agent’s registration must be filed twice each year – by January 31 and July 31. Updates confirm or revise each client of a Legislative Agent, and identify the ordinances or resolutions on which the agent actively advocated during the preceding period.
Information regarding Legislative Agents is available on the city’s website.
How to Register
Registration may be completed online. There is a $45 fee.
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