Lobbyist Rules

The Public Ethics Commission ensures compliance with the City of Oakland's lobbyist registration laws.

Get Updates from the Public Ethics Commission

Who Qualifies as a Lobbyist?

You are considered a lobbyist in Oakland if:

• You get paid $1,000 or more in a month to talk to City officials and try to influence laws, rules, or government decisions.

• Your job (as a worker, leader, or board member of a company or group) includes talking to City officials or workers — either yourself or through someone else — to try to influence laws, rules, or government decisions.

The Law

The Lobbyist Registration Act requires people who try to influence City decisions to register and report their activities.

• What's New
• Lobbyist Registration Act (LRA)

Registration and Reporting

Individuals must register online as an Oakland lobbyist before lobbying activity begins and send in reports every quarter about their activities. The City also keeps a public list online where anyone can see who the lobbyists are and what they’ve reported.

Reporting Periods and Deadlines

There are no deadline extensions. The Public Ethics Commission may assess late fees of $10 per day up to $1,000 for reports filed after the deadline, in addition to other penalties.

Resources

The Commission publishes education materials and a comprehensive guide to the Lobbyist Registration Act to assist you in complying with local law.