§1602 Definitions

Summary

Defines key words used later so people know who and what the rules cover. Agency: means what section 551(1) of title 5 says. Client: someone or a group that hires or pays another to do lobbying for them; if an organization’s own employees lobby, the organization is the client and employer; a coalition or association is the client, not its members. Covered executive branch official: includes the President, the Vice President, people in the Executive Office of the President, officials in Executive Schedule levels I–V, uniformed service members at pay grade O–7 or above under section 201 of title 37, and employees in positions described in 5 U.S.C. 7511(b)(2)(B). Covered legislative branch official: includes Members of Congress, elected officers of either House, staff of Members or committees, House or Senate leadership staff, joint committees, working groups or caucuses that help Members, and other legislative employees listed in section 13101(13) of title 5. Employee: an officer, employee, partner, director, or proprietor, but not independent contractors or unpaid volunteers. Foreign entity: means a foreign principal as defined in section 1(b) of the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 (22 U.S.C. 611(b)). Lobbying activities: direct lobbying contacts and the planning, research, or coordination done to support them. Lobbying contact: any oral or written communication (including electronic) to a covered official made for a client about federal legislation; federal rules, orders, or policies; administration or execution of federal programs or awards (like contracts, grants, loans, permits, or licenses); or nominations and confirmations. Many types of communications are excluded, such as official public‑official communications, media reporting, public speeches or publications, disclosures required under FARA, routine non‑influencing administrative requests, congressional testimony, responses to official requests for information, compelled communications, certain adjudicative or confidential filings, protected whistleblower disclosures, certain religious groups’ communications, and specified communications between self‑regulatory organizations and the SEC or CFTC. Lobbying firm: a person or group with one or more employees who lobby for clients other than themselves, and also includes self‑employed lobbyists. Lobbyist: an individual paid by a client whose work includes more than one lobbying contact, unless lobbying is less than 20 percent of their work for that client over a 3‑month period. Media organization: an entity that distributes news to the public by newspaper, magazine, radio, TV, or other mass media. Member of Congress: a Senator, Representative, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner. Organization: any entity other than an individual. Person or entity: includes individuals, companies, nonprofits, labor groups, partnerships, governments, and similar groups. Public official: an elected or appointed official or employee of federal, state, or local government (with some listed exceptions), government corporations, organizations of state or local officials, Indian tribes, political parties, or foreign governments or groups of governments. State: each State, the District of Columbia, and every U.S. commonwealth, territory, or possession.