Bill Overview
Title: Lobbying Disclosure Improvement Act
Description: This bill requires registered lobbyists to disclose whether they are exempt from having to register as foreign agents due to their lobbying activities and status as registered lobbyists.
Sponsors: Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]
Target Audience
Population: Registered lobbyists impacted by lobbying disclosure changes
Estimated Size: 12000
- Lobbyists who are registered under the current lobbying disclosure laws will need to update their records to specify if they are exempt from registering as foreign agents.
- There are approximately 12,000 registered lobbyists in the United States.
- The bill directly imposes new requirements on these lobbyists, affecting how they report their activities and compliance.
- Indirectly, organizations that employ these lobbyists or rely on their services may also be impacted as they ensure compliance with new reporting standards.
Reasoning
- The target population consists primarily of registered lobbyists, a relatively small and specific group with about 12,000 individuals in the U.S.
- The policy requires these individuals to update their reporting, which can be seen as an administrative burden but also enhances transparency.
- Some lobbyists may feel a low to medium impact due to the additional workload and potential legal complexities.
- A small budget is needed for updating systems and training these lobbyists or their firms on the new requirements. However, this budget does not significantly alter the financial circumstances of the lobbyists themselves.
- Many lobbyists may not experience a significant change in their overall wellbeing since the policy mostly affects their professional reporting requirements, not their personal lives.
- There will be minimal impact on the general population as this policy is highly focused on lobbying activities and does not interfere with broader societal issues.
Simulated Interviews
Registered Lobbyist (Washington D.C.)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This bill means a bit more paperwork, but it won't change much of how I conduct my work day-to-day.
- It's a positive step for transparency, which clients actually appreciate.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Lobbyist for International Tech Companies (New York, NY)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've always been careful about compliance with foreign agent registration, so this policy just formalizes part of my regular checks.
- It's generally manageable, but my workload may increase slightly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Consultant for Advocacy Firms (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 0.5 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The new policy is mainly an advisory piece for me to help clients understand the compliance they need.
- I foresee minimal personal impact since I guide others rather than engage directly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Corporate Lobbyist (Chicago, IL)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We have systems in place already that should ease integration of the new disclosures.
- Transparency is always welcomed, but I doubt it changes day-to-day corporate strategy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Independent Lobbyist (Austin, TX)
Age: 32 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don’t expect much change as my work is mostly domestic.
- Policy reaffirms the importance of clear lines in lobbying, which is a positive.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Legal Advisor (Boston, MA)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 1.5 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This bill is likely to cause startup clients some initial concern, but with proper guidance, they'll adjust swiftly.
- It reinforces my role in guiding them through the regulatory maze.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Health Policy Lobbyist (Denver, CO)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's another layer of reporting but manageable given the existing compliance structure we work with.
- Cost might rise slightly as we get used to the new requirements, but it's a necessary adjustment.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Junior Lobbyist (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.5 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Would create more straightforward processes but presents an initial concern as I adapt to my new role.
- Improvements to reporting could ultimately present learning opportunities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Retired Lobbyist (Miami, FL)
Age: 64 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy doesn’t affect me directly as I'm retired.
- I see it as a welcome change having seen how foreign influences can complicate lobbying.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Lobbyist for Domestic Agriculture (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.5 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Mainly an update, we may need to tweak some of our reporting practices but it won't disrupt operations.
- The transparency aspect is beneficial, reassuring for all stakeholders involved.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $8000000)
Year 2: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $8000000)
Year 3: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $8000000)
Year 5: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $8000000)
Year 10: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $8000000)
Year 100: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $8000000)
Key Considerations
- There may be increased administrative costs for both lobbyists and government entities responsible for enforcement.
- The bill aims to enhance transparency in lobbying activities, particularly concerning foreign influences.