Lobbying Activity
Register and Report Lobbyists and Lobbying Principals
Who Needs to Register and Report
All persons paid to engage in the practice of attempting to influence legislative or administrative action through communication with any county official and all organizations that employ a lobbyist to influence county government must register with the County Clerk. The purpose of registration is to let the citizens of Milwaukee County know who seeks to influence the actions of their county government and to provide county officials and the public with information regarding those who seek to influence the development of county policy.
To preserve the integrity of the policy making process, it is necessary to regulate and publicly disclose the identity, expenditures and activities of persons who hire others or who are hired to influence actions of the legislative and executive branches of county government. Therefore, principals and lobbyists are required to register and provide information to be maintained as a public record.
Lobbyist and Principal Registrations Reports
Lobbyist and principal registration information is available to the public in the Office of the County Clerk.
Lobbying Principals Expenditure Reports
Lobbying principals are required to file expense reports biannually with the County Clerk. These reports identify the amount of expenditures by category and the activities of each lobbyist. The reports are available to the public in the Office of the County Clerk.
How to Register and Report
The principal and lobbyist(s) must register and report all expenditures made on behalf of lobbying efforts.
Register
Principals: Complete the Principals Registration Form and Authorization for Lobbyist Form
Lobbyists: Complete the Lobbyist Registration Form
Report Expenditures
All expenditures must be reported within 30 days after the reporting period.
January 1 through June 30: Filing Deadline is July 31
July 1 through December 31: Filing Deadline is Jan. 31
Types of expenses that must be reported:
- Pro rata compensation to lobbyist(s) and to the principal or officers or employees of the principal for lobbying or expenses
- Expenditures and obligations incurred in preparing for lobbying
- A reasonable estimate of lobbying expenditures and obligations incurred for conducting, compiling or preparing research, information, statistics, studies or analyses in lobbying
- Lobbying expenditures and obligations incurred for paid advertising and any other activities conducted for the purpose of urging members of the general public to attempt to influence legislative or administrative action
Registration and Reporting Forms
The following forms are required to be submitted by lobbyists and lobbying principals.
Principal Expense Form - $1,000 or More
Principal Expense Form - Less Than $1,000