Florida lobbying guidelines

Lobbyist registration guidelines
Related pages
Lobbying
Taxpayer-funded lobbying
Guidelines by state
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Lobbying is broadly defined as the attempt to persuade another person to accept one's position. This includes efforts to influence lawmakers by other legislators, constituents, or organized groups. Each state has different requirements for lobbyist registration. The person doing the lobbying is typically referred to as the lobbyist and the person or entity providing compensation the principal. Each state has a different entity responsible for maintaining its lobbying records, such as registrations and expenditures.

As of April 2021, the Lobbyist Registration System maintained the state's lobbying records.

Who must register?

According to Section 34-12.200 of the Florida Administrative Code, individuals who are lobbyists according to the state's definition must register:

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(1) A person who is a “lobbyist” as defined in Section 112.3215(1)(h), F.S., and this rule chapter may not lobby an agency until he or she has registered as a lobbyist with the Commission. Registration may be made by electronic means at www.floridalobbyist.gov or on CE Form 20, Executive Branch Lobbyist Registration.

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The state provides these examples of lobbying activities:

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As used in this rule, “lobbying” activities include, for example: (1) The representation of a client in communications with the Office of the Governor with respect to legislative matters. (2) Seeking to influence the content of an agency’s request for proposals or specifications for the purchase of goods or services on behalf of another person or governmental entity, unless in regard to the category of purchases described in Rule 34-12.150, F.A.C. (3) Seeking to influence the priority given by an agency to the purchase of land or to a construction project on behalf of another person or governmental entity. (4) Seeking to influence an agency’s decision regarding a proposed rule in behalf of a client through communications with agency personnel prior to the publication of a notice of rule development pursuant to Section 120.54(2), F.S., or the filing of a petition to initiate rulemaking pursuant to Section 120.54(7), F.S. (5) Seeking to influence an agency in behalf of a person or governmental entity with respect to policies of the agency.

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Click here to visit the state's searchable database of registrations and quarterly filings.

State definition of lobbying

Section 34-12.100 of the Florida Administrative Code defines lobbying as:

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As used in this chapter and except as excluded in this chapter, “lobbyist” means a person who is employed and receives payment, or who contracts for economic consideration, for the purpose of lobbying, or a person who is principally employed for governmental affairs by another person or governmental entity to lobby an agency on behalf of that other person or governmental entity. (1) An employee of a principal is not a “lobbyist” unless the employee is principally employed for governmental affairs. “Principally employed for governmental affairs” means that one of the principal or most significant responsibilities of the employee to the employer is overseeing the employer’s various relationships with government or representing the employer in its contacts with government. (2) One who is not an employee of a principal is a “lobbyist” if he is retained as an independent contractor or otherwise for payment or economic consideration by a person or governmental entity to lobby an agency on behalf of that person or governmental entity. (3) If a corporation, partnership, firm, or other business organization is retained for payment or economic consideration to lobby an agency on behalf of another person or governmental entity, only the members, partners, associates, or employees of the organization who personally lobby in behalf of that person or governmental entity are “lobbyists.” (4) A person who lobbies an agency in behalf of himself or in behalf of a business entity in which he has an ownership interest is not a “lobbyist” unless he comes within one of the above descriptions. (5) The terms “payment” or “economic consideration” do not include receiving only reimbursement for actual travel, lodging, and meal expenses.

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See also

• Lobbying
• Lobbyist registration guidelines

External links

• Florida Lobbyist