Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 50, December 14, 2024
Section 53.4 - Lobbyist registration(a) Unless exempt under section 13A06 of the act (relating to exemption from registration and reporting), a lobbyist shall register with the Department within 10 days of the earlier of one of the following:(1) Contracting in any form to engage in lobbying.(2) Engaging in lobbying.(b) When a firm, association, corporation, partnership, business trust or business entity is engaged as a lobbyist or lobbying firm, it and each of its members or employees that engage in lobbying on behalf of the principal shall register with the Department, unless exempt under section 13A06 of the act.(c) When a lobbyist engages in lobbying on the lobbyist's own behalf, the lobbyist shall also register as a principal.(d) A lobbyist shall register by filing a registration statement with the Department on a form prescribed by the Department, as required under § 51.7(a) (relating to forms, records and Department publications), which includes and discloses at least the following information:(1) The name, permanent business address, email address, if available, and daytime telephone number of the lobbyist. The filer shall also indicate if the lobbyist is a licensed attorney, and, if so, whether the attorney is licensed in this Commonwealth.(2) A recent passport-sized (approximately 2 inches x 2 inches) photograph of the lobbyist, the specifications of which will be determined by the Department and published on its web site.(3) The name, permanent business address, daytime telephone number and registration number when available of each principal the lobbyist represents.(4) The name, registration number and acronyms of all "affiliated political action committees," as defined in section 13A03 of the act (relating to definitions).(5) The name and registration number when available of every lobbying firm with which the lobbyist has a relationship involving economic consideration.(6) The name, registration number and acronym of any non-Federal candidate's political committee of which the lobbyist is an officer who must be included in a registration statement under section 1624(b)(2) and (3) of the Election Code (25 P. S. § 3244(b)(2) and (3)), regarding registration.(7) The registration number of the lobbyist when available.(e) For each address that is to be disclosed on a registration statement, the filer shall include the permanent business address. If the filer has more than one permanent business address, indicate the primary business address of the filer.(f) The registration statement must include the lobbyist's consent to receive service of notices, other official mailings or process at addresses listed in the registration statement on file with the Department.(g) The registration statement must include a statement that the lobbyist has received, read and understands the requirements and prohibitions of the act.(h) The registration statement must also include a statement that the information on the lobbyist's statement is true, correct and complete to the best of the registrant's knowledge, information and belief, and the affirmation is being made subject to 18 Pa.C.S. § 4904 (relating to unsworn falsification to authorities).(i) A lobbyist registering on behalf of an association will not be required to register on behalf of each member of that association. However, if a lobbyist represents a member in a separate capacity, both the lobbyist and the member shall file the appropriate registrations.(j) A lobbyist will not be considered registered until the completed registration statement, the biennial filing fee and a photograph of the lobbyist, in proper form as required by the act and this section, are received by the Department. However, if the Department receives the filing fee and a photograph of the lobbyist within 5 calendar days of the filing of a registration statement, the registration will not be considered delinquent, in compliance with § 51.4 (relating to delinquency). If the 5 days end on a weekend or holiday, or on another day that the office of the filing location is closed or closes early, the deadline for the filing will be extended to the following Commonwealth business day.(k) Unless terminated, a registration statement filed under the act is effective from the date of filing through the final day of the registration period then in effect. The lobbyist shall file a new registration statement after that date, to the extent the lobbyist is required to be registered under the act and this section.(l) A person who is a lobbyist as defined in section 13A03 of the act (relating to definitions) consents to receive service of process, even if that person is located out-of-State under 42 Pa.C.S. § 5322 (related to bases of personal jurisdiction over persons outside this Commonwealth). This section cited in 51 Pa. Code § 53.3 (relating to lobbying firm registration).