Lobbying Guidance Now Clarified

After new guidance was issued regarding when the Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) allows individuals to terminate their registrations, many recognized that a new loophole may have been created to avoid lobbying restrictions imposed by the Obama administration. Questions led to a review of last week's new guidance and now, the guidance has been clarified [1]. The notice from the Clerk of the House and the Secretary of the Senate explains that if a registered lobbyist does not expect to make any lobbying contacts in the future, they still may deregister.

Nevertheless, someone who was once a registered lobbyist may deregister and continue to take on infrequent lobbying or direct others to engage in lobbying activities, yet avoid having to register. For more, read this latest [2] Watcher article.