The Federal Lobbying Disclosure Act requires the University to report, on a quarterly basis, a good faith estimate of all expenditures on federal lobbying activities conducted on behalf of the University.
“All employee time spent in lobbying activities must be included in determining the organization’s lobbying expenses, even if the employee does not meet the statutory definition of a ‘lobbyist.’”
University employees are responsible for reporting these activities to Government and Community Relations each quarter.
What constitutes a University of Minnesota federal lobbying activity?
For purposes of the statute, “lobbying activities” includes both “lobbying contacts” and “efforts in support of such contacts,” including “preparation and planning activities, research and other background work that is intended, at the time it is performed, for use in contacts, and coordination with the lobbying activities of others.” Lobbying contacts includes traditional, direct contact with certain high-level federal officials for the purpose of influencing federal law, regulations, policies, grants, or contracts. The statutory definition of lobbying contacts can be found at 2 U.S.C. § 1602(7).
University of Minnesota lobbying activities include only those performed on behalf of the University. University of Minnesota lobbying activities must be performed at the specific request of the administration (PDF) or within the normal scope of your administrative duties.
What does not constitute a University of Minnesota federal lobbying activity?
Public testimony, participation in advisory committees, public position statements on policy issues, or other public communications are not considered lobbying activities. Any lobbying activities that you may have performed on behalf of your personal or scholarly interests, or on behalf of any professional organizations are not University of Minnesota lobbying activities.
Who is a covered official?
Lobbying contacts includes traditional, direct contact with covered officials for the purpose of influencing federal law, regulations, policies, grants, or contracts. The following officials are covered:
- The President
- The Vice President
- Officers and employees of the Executive Office of the President
- Any official serving in an Executive Level I through V position
- Any member of the uniformed services serving at grade O-7 or above
- Schedule C employees.
- A Member of Congress
- An elected Officer of either the House or the Senate
- An employee, or any other individual functioning in the capacity of an employee, who works for a Member, committee, leadership staff of either the Senate or House, a joint committee of Congress, a working group or caucus organized to provide services to Members, and any other Legislative Branch employee serving in a position described under Section 109(13) of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. Appendix § 109(13)).
For more information, read the Lobbying Disclosure Act Guidance.
For questions, contact [email protected].