Lobbyist Registration

Lobbying is defined as communicating directly or indirectly, either in person, by telephone, letter, electronic means or other method, with the city commission, city board or committee, or any member thereof or the city manager or city staff for the purpose of influencing legislation or other official action. It does not include the activities of a person undertaken in connection with a request for iformation, the submission of an application for a city permit, making inquiries regarding such application, or providing any information required to be submitted in support of such application.

Persons engaging in lobbying either directly or indirectly by the solicitation of others to engage in lobbying activities, shall receive appropriate written authorization from the person on whose behalf they are lobbying and file that written authorization with the application.

Lobbyists shall file a statement by October 15 each year of all lobbying expenditures.

Registration Fees

• Initial and annual lobbyist registration - $75
• Each principal (initial registration only) - $150

Overview

This page is designed to provide an overview of the City of Fort Lauderdale's Lobbyist Registration Ordinance (No. C-00-27) and Lobbyist Registration Fee Resolution (07-101). Below you will find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions, such as:

• What constitutes lobbying?

• Who is and is not required to register as a lobbyist?

• What are the registration procedures?

• What types of information will lobbyists be asked to provide?

Complete copies of the ordinance and resolution are available from the City Clerk's Office.

Lobbyist Registration Forms

Lobbyist registration forms may be downloaded from the City’s website. Registration forms may be obtained in person Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the City Clerk’s Office, located on the 7th Floor of City Hall at 100 N. Andrews Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. Forms may also be obtained by calling (954) 828-5002.

• Lobbyist Registration Form
• Lobbyist Registration Fee Resolution
• Lobbyist Expenditure Report
• Lobbyist Ordinance No. C-00-27
• Comprehensive List of Current Registered Lobbyists
• Registered Lobbyists - 2007
• Registered Lobbyists - 2006
• Registered Lobbyists - 2005
• Registered Lobbyists - 2004
• Registered Lobbyists - 2002-2003
• Registered Lobbyists - 2000-2001

Contact Information

For more information about the City of Fort Lauderdale’s Lobbyist Registration Ordinance and Resolution, please contact:

City of Fort Lauderdale
Office of the City Clerk
100 N. Andrews Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Ph: (954) 828-5002
Fax: (954) 828-5017
agendainfo@fortlauderdale.gov

Questions & Answers

What is lobbying?
Lobbying is any form of communication with City Commissioners, City Board or Committee members, the City Manager or City employees that is done to influence legislation or other official action. Indirect lobbying refers to any individual who solicits others to engage in lobbying activities.

What types of communication are not considered lobbying?
Lobbying does not include requests for information or communication that takes place in conjunction with the submission of an application for a City permit.

Who is required to register as a lobbyist?
Any individual or organization must register with the City Clerk’s Office when that individual or organization is compensated to directly or indirectly lobby City Commissioners, City Board or Committee members, the City Manager or City employees.

When are lobbyists required to register with the City?
Lobbyists must register with the City Clerk’s Office prior to conducting any lobbying activities. Initial registration will begin on August 1, 2000. Individuals who conduct lobbying activities after September 30, 2000 and are not registered will be in violation of the ordinance.

Is there a registration fee?
Effective October 1, 2007, each lobbyist who wishes to conduct lobbyist activities with the City of Fort Lauderdale will be required to pay an annual registration fee of $75. This fee is due and payable on October 1 of each year.

In addition, effective October 1, 2007, for each Principal a Lobbyist registers with the City, there is a one-time fee of $150. This fee is initially payable on October 1, 2007, for each principal for whom the lobbyist is currently registered. For all new registrations submitted to the City of Fort Lauderdale after October 1, 2007, the fee of $150 is due and payable at the time the lobbyist registers a new principal. This fee is waived for registered not-for-profit entities.

What are the registration procedures?
Lobbyist registration forms may be downloaded from this web page. Forms may also be obtained in person from the City Clerk’s Office, 100 N. Andrews Avenue, 7th Floor, or by calling (954) 828-5002. Completed registration forms may be returned in person or by mail to:

City of Fort Lauderdale
Office of the City Clerk
100 N. Andrews Avenue, 7th Floor
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

What information will lobbyists be asked to provide?
Lobbyists will be asked to provide information relating to the following areas:

• Name, address and nature of lobbyist’s business;

• Name, address and occupation or profession of each individual or organization on whose behalf lobbying will be performed;

• Subject matters that lobbyist will seek to influence;

• Business association with any current elected official or City employee;

• Written authorization from each individual or organization on whose behalf lobbying will be performed.

What reports will lobbyists be required to file?
During the month of October, lobbyists must submit an annual financial statement listing all expenses incurred in connection with lobbying activities other than lobbyist's own personal expenses. The City Clerk's Office will mail all active lobbyists a financial report prior to October 1 of each year. If the lobbyist incurs no expenses, a negative report should be filed.

Effective October 1, 2007 and every subsequent October 1, lobbyists are required to submit a new Lobbyist Registration Form with an attached list of all active principals. Payment of the annual $75.00 Lobbyist Registration Fee must be submitted with the Registration form and list of all active Principals.

What is the Statement of Representation?
Individuals must state that they are lobbyists and disclose whom they are working for at the beginning of any communication with the City.

What are the City’s lobbying restrictions for former City Commissioners, Board Members and City Employees?
Former City Commissioners, Board Members and certain management level City employees are prohibited from lobbying the City for one year after leaving their position. This provision applies only to those in office or employed at the time or after the ordinance takes effect. (Note: Florida statute prohibits former City Commissioners from lobbying City elected officials for two years.)

Who is not required to register as a lobbyist?
The following individuals do not need to register as lobbyists:

• Individuals or organizations who communicate with the City on their own behalf without compensation;

• Individuals or organizations who lobby on behalf of non-profit organizations, such as a civic or homeowners association, without receiving pay;

• Public officers or employees who are acting in their official capacity;

• Representatives of the City’s labor unions.

What are the penalties for violating the ordinance?
Violators of the City’s Lobbyist Registration Ordinance will be subject to reprimand, censure or prohibition from lobbying the City for a period of up to two years.