Councilors vote to pass lobbyist registration ordinance

Following a working session chaired by Councilor Flaherty, the Council voted once again to pass a lobbyist registration ordinance and home-rule petition based on the version that the Council passed in June.

The goal of this legislation is to promote good governance and to ensure transparency in government by requiring registration and disclosure of lobbying activities; to create fairness and consistency by applying the same rules to all persons engaged in lobbying activities; and to reinforce the community’s trust in the integrity of its government by guaranteeing convenient, timely access to information about attempts to influence the government’s decisions. One key piece of the legislation is the creation of an independent City commission to oversee enforcement.

The ordinance will go into effect 180 days after the Mayor signs.