2011-2012 Legislative Session - Who is Required to Register
Organizations
Wisconsin law requires your organization to register with the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board if your organization employs an individual:
* who for compensation
* communicates with state officials
* to attempt to influence state legislation or administrative rule-making on its behalf, and
* that individual communicates with state officials on 5 or more days during either the first or last six months of the year.
Lobbyists
You have an obligation to obtain a lobbying license from the Government Accountability Board, and
the organization that pays you is required to authorize you as its lobbyist, if you attempt to influence
state legislation or an administrative rule on behalf of a business or organization that employs you or
from which you receive a payment (other than reimbursement of expenses) and you communicate with
a state official or legislative employee about such matters on 5 or more days within a six month
reporting period.
* If you are not acting on behalf of anyone other than yourself, you need not be licensed or
authorized.
* If you represent the views of a business or organization but do so as an unpaid volunteer, you
need not be licensed or authorized.
* If you represent the views of a business or organization that pays you, but convey those views only
to legislators elected from the Senate and Assembly districts in which you reside, you need not be
licensed or authorized.
* If you represent the views of a business or organization that pays you and you convey those views
to all or many legislators or officials but do so only occasionally, up to 4 days within a 6-month
period, you need not be licensed or authorized.
How to Register
To register your organization to lobby in Wisconsin, complete the
Registration of Organization Employing a Lobbyist and Authorization of Lobbyists form. Enclose the organization registration fee of $
375 and the lobbyist authorization fee of
$125 for each individual whom your organization will employ as a lobbyist. If the individual does not already have a lobbying license, he or she should complete a
Lobby License Application. For the 2011-2012 legislative session, the lobby license fee is
$350 for an individual to lobby on behalf of one organization or
$650 for an individual to lobby on behalf of multiple organizations. If you wish, your organization may write one check for the registration, authorization, and license, payable to “Wisconsin Government Accountability Board.”
Registrations and authorizations become effective when the Government Accountability Board receives the completed form and correct fees, and expire December 31, 2012 for the 2011-2012 legislative session.
The Government Accountability Board recommends that you register your organization and authorize your lobbyists before they begin their lobbying activities.
Resources
Lobbying Law - Chapter 13, Wisconsin State Statutes
Administrative Rules
Lobbying Guidelines
Lobbying Opinions
Online Lobbying Tutorial (PowerPoint)
