Lobbyist Loophole Closure Act

Increased Transparency of Counseling Services: By amending Section 3(7) to include "any efforts" and specifically including "counseling in support of such preparation and planning activities, research, and other background work," the bill brings more strategic and political counseling under the umbrella of lobbying activity.

Accountability for Influential Counselors: Under Section 2(a)(2), individuals who provide counseling services for compensation and have the authority to influence a lobbying contact made by another person will now be considered to have made that same contact. This ensures those directing the strategy are held to the same standards as those making the direct contact.

Lower Threshold for Lobbyist Registration: Section 2(b) reduces the percentage exemption from "less than 20 percent" to "less than 10 percent." This change means more individuals will be required to register as lobbyists based on the amount of their activity.

Expanded Regulatory Requirements: Because Section 2(a)(1) and (2) expand the definition of lobbying activity and contact to include strategic counseling and those who influence such contacts, more individuals may now fall under the requirements of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995.

Increased Registration Burden: Per Section 2(b), the reduction of the threshold from 20 percent to 10 percent means that individuals performing smaller amounts of lobbying activity will now be required to register as lobbyists.