Mayor Marty Walsh signed an ordinance last week requiring lobbyist registration and reporting for individuals and entities attempting to influence city action.

The ordinance was passed by city council in late September and requires registration by every person retained, employed or designated by any client or lobbying entity to engage in lobbying or lobbying activities.

This comes after two years of Mayor Walsh calling for increased transparency through the implementation of a lobbying ordinance.

In July, Mayor Walsh vetoed a lobbying ordinance passed by council as it failed to define and regulate lobbying and did not create an adequate enforcement mechanism.

The new ordinance, effective April 13, 2019, creates a quarterly reporting requirement and penalties for late registration and reporting.