August 13, 2026 •
Michigan Expands Revolving Door Laws
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed three bills into law on July 21, expanding revolving door laws. Public Act 74 expands the current prohibition against lobbying by state legislators who resign during a term of office to apply to all former state […]
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed three bills into law on July 21, expanding revolving door laws. Public Act 74 expands the current prohibition against lobbying by state legislators who resign during a term of office to apply to all former state legislators for two years after they leave office and applicable to legislators whose term of office begins on or after January 1, 2027. Public Act 75 prohibits a former governor, lieutenant governor, or head of a principal executive branch department whose term of office begins on or after January 1, 2027, from making expenditures for lobbying, or being compensated or reimbursed for lobbying, in an amount requiring registration as a lobbyist agent, for two years after they leave office. Public Act 76 prohibits a currently serving state legislator from being compensated, other than their legislative pay, to lobby legislative or executive officials in other states, the federal government, or any other government.
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August 11, 2026 •
Denver Amends Lobbying Law: A Compliance Guide to Bill 26-0686
The Denver City Council has passed Bill 26-0686, significantly amending the city’s lobbying registration and disclosure requirements. Signed into law by Mayor Mike Johnston, the legislation expands the legal definition of lobbying, modifies registration deadlines, expands bi-monthly disclosure obligations, and […]
The Denver City Council has passed Bill 26-0686, significantly amending the city’s lobbying registration and disclosure requirements. Signed into law by Mayor Mike Johnston, the legislation expands the legal definition of lobbying, modifies registration deadlines, expands bi-monthly disclosure obligations, and increases administrative fees. Compliance officers, government relations professionals, and lobbyists operating in Denver must adapt to these legislative changes before they officially take effect on January 1, 2027.
Key Provisions of Denver Bill 26-0686
Bill 26-0686 introduces major structural updates to municipal ethics and transparency regulations. Government affairs teams should review the following key areas to ensure full regulatory compliance.
Regulation of Administrative Matter Lobbying
The legislation expressly brings administrative matter lobbying under official municipal regulation. Previously, Denver lobbying laws applied strictly to legislative matters. Under the new ordinance, lobbying communications regarding the following topics are regulated:
- Agency rules and regulations
- Land use and zoning decisions
- Mayoral activity on municipal bills and executive orders
Official procurement processes and standard marketing communications remain from these rules. However, this does not apply if a communication includes a specific request for action on a legislative or administrative matter.
Revised Registration Timelines and Expenditure Thresholds
Bill 26-0686 adjusts the timeline for initial registration. Current law requires lobbyists to register with the Denver City Clerk within five days of first engaging in lobbying activity. The new ordinance replaces that standard with updated criteria:
- Individual Lobbyists: Must register within 10 days of agreeing to lobby for compensation exceeding $1000 or after receiving more than $1,000 for lobbying services.
- Lobbying Entities: Must register within 10 days of compensating a lobbyist or employee more than $1,000 to conduct lobbying activities.
- Grassroots Organizations: Any person making grassroots lobbying expenditures exceeding $5,000 in a calendar year must complete lobbyist or lobbying entity registration within 10 days of crossing the threshold.
Expanded Bi-Monthly Disclosure Requirements
Reporting obligations for registered lobbyists and lobbying entities will expand under the new framework. Bi-monthly reports must now include disclosures regarding compensation received or paid for lobbying activities.
Additionally, filings must provide specific information regarding every legislative and administrative matter lobbied, including:
- Client name
- Covered official information
- A detailed description of the subject matter
Under previous standards, detailed matter disclosures were required only when reporting lobbying expenditures.
Fee Increases, Penalty Enhancements, and Ethics Restrictions
The updated law alters financial penalties, registration costs, and post-employment restrictions:
- Registration Fees: Fees for both individual lobbyists and lobbying entities will increase to $100. Previously, fees were set at $50 for individual lobbyists and $75 for entities.
- Reporting Violations: Penalties for late or improper reporting increase to $50 per day, capped at a maximum of $500.
- Non-Reporting Violations: May incur fines up to $999 per violation, in addition to potential administrative enforcement.
- Cooling-Off Period: Former elected officials and certain former covered officials are prohibited from engaging in lobbying for compensation for 12 months following the end of their term or employment.
- Mandatory Training: Registered lobbyists must complete required lobbyist training within 30 days of initial registration.
To review official municipal legislative records and council proceedings, visit the Denver City Council Legislative Portal.
Comparison Summary: Existing Law vs. Bill 26-0686
| Provision Area | Existing Denver Law | New Law (Bill 26-0686) |
| Scope of Lobbying | Covers legislative matters only | Covers legislative and administrative matters |
| Registration Deadline | Within 5 days of first lobbying engagement | Within 10 days of |
| Lobbyist Registration Fee | $50 | $100 |
| Entity Registration Fee | $75 | $100 |
| Bi-Monthly Reporting | Detailed reporting required primarily for expenditures | Detailed reporting required for |
| Post-Employment Restriction | 12-month lobbying ban for certain former covered officials | |
| Lobbyist Training | Not specified | Mandatory within 30 days of registration |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When do the new Denver lobbying requirements take effect?
Bill 26-0686 takes effect on January 1, 2027. Organizations and individual practitioners should prepare to adjust their tracking systems and compliance schedules prior to this date.
How does Bill 26-0686 change the definition of lobbying?
The ordinance expands the definition to include administrative matters such as executive orders, mayoral bill decisions, agency rulemaking, and land-use or zoning decisions. Official procurement and marketing communications are unless they include a direct request for action on a legislative or administrative issue.
What are the penalties for failing to file lobbying disclosures in Denver?
Violations related to reporting carry a $ 50-per-day fine, capped at $500.
What is the new revolving-door policy for former Denver officials?
Former elected officials and certain former covered are subject to a 12-month cooling-off period. They may not engage in compensated lobbying activities for one full year after leaving office or ending employment with the city.
Stay Ahead of Municipal Compliance
Navigating shifting compliance regulations across local, state, federal, and international jurisdictions requires up-to-date legal intelligence and proactive monitoring. To manage municipal lobbying compliance and stay informed on regulatory developments across North America, explore the compliance tools available at State and Federal Communications.
July 30, 2026 •
Calgary, Alberta’s City Council Passes Proposal to Explore Implementing Lobbying Law
On July 28, the city of Calgary’s City Council passed a proposal to explore the consideration of a lobbyist registry. The council’s Executive Committee’s “notice of motion” application made to the city council requested the council to direct the chief […]
On July 28, the city of Calgary’s City Council passed a proposal to explore the consideration of a lobbyist registry. The council’s Executive Committee’s “notice of motion” application made to the city council requested the council to direct the chief administrative officer and the council’s ethics advisor to conduct a jurisdictional review and report back its results to the Executive Committee by the end of 2026. The report must explore several options for city council’s consideration, including best practices from comparable Canadian municipalities; possible public disclosures requirements, and any accessibility requirements. The council also passed an amendment requiring any proposed registry also apply to lobbying the council’s senior administrative staff.
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Lawmakers passed a bill to include lobbyist employers in the prohibitions against fictitious lobbying practices. Existing law currently prohibits a lobbyist or lobbying firm from attempting to create a fictitious appearance of public favor or disfavor of any proposed legislative […]
Lawmakers passed a bill to include lobbyist employers in the prohibitions against fictitious lobbying practices. Existing law currently prohibits a lobbyist or lobbying firm from attempting to create a fictitious appearance of public favor or disfavor of any proposed legislative or administrative action. A lobbyist or lobbying firm may not cause any communication to be sent to any elected state officer, legislative official, agency official, or state candidate in the name of any fictitious person or in the name of any real person, except with the consent of the real person. Assembly Bill 1736 extends these prohibitions to lobbyist employers and is effective January 1, 2027.
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July 21, 2026 •
Aurora, Illinois Passes Ethics Ordinances Amending Lobbyist Regulations and Campaign Contributions
City Council passed two ethics ordinances on July 14 which are effective immediately. Ordinance 2026-047 prohibits lobbyists and entities in which they hold ownership interests from making direct or in-kind contributions to any candidate or elected official or their authorized […]
City Council passed two ethics ordinances on July 14 which are effective immediately. Ordinance 2026-047 prohibits lobbyists and entities in which they hold ownership interests from making direct or in-kind contributions to any candidate or elected official or their authorized political committee or PAC. The ordinance also incorporates state campaign finance limits while prohibiting anyone who is seeking business with the city and anyone who has done business with the city during the preceding four reporting years from donating more than $1,500 per year to city candidates and elected officials, or to any official or employee of the city who is seeking election to any other office. Violators would be barred from doing business with the city for four years. Ordinance 2026-046 requires elected officials, candidates and certain city employees to annually file a disclosure statement which includes any gifts, loans or services they’ve received from those doing business with the city.
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July 16, 2026 •
New York COELIG Accepting Comments on Lobbying Fee Rulemaking
The New York Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (COELIG) is accepting comments on a proposed rulemaking related to the recent statutory increase in lobbyist registration fees. The lobbyist registration fee is increasing from $200 per biennium to $250 […]
The New York Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (COELIG) is accepting comments on a proposed rulemaking related to the recent statutory increase in lobbyist registration fees. The lobbyist registration fee is increasing from $200 per biennium to $250 per calendar year in COELIG’s regulations. Additionally, lobbyists who fail to complete a registration or pay the annual fee may be subject to civil penalties. COELIG is accepting public comments until September 13.
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On July 14, the city of Calgary’s Executive Committee unanimously passed a proposal for the consideration of a lobbyist registry. The committee’s “notice of motion” request to the city council, if accepted, would direct the chief administrative officer and the […]
On July 14, the city of Calgary’s Executive Committee unanimously passed a proposal for the consideration of a lobbyist registry. The committee’s “notice of motion” request to the city council, if accepted, would direct the chief administrative officer and the council’s ethics advisor to conduct a jurisdictional review and report back its results to the Executive Committee by the end of 2026. The report must explore several options for city council’s consideration, including best practices from comparable Canadian municipalities; public disclosure and accessibility requirements; and whether the registry should apply to the city’s senior administration. The notice is scheduled to be submitted on July 28 at a regular meeting of the council.
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July 7, 2026 •
New York State Budget Bill Increases Lobbying Dues
The General Government Budget for 2026-2027 was passed and signed by Gov. Hochul. Included in the budget was an increase to the lobbyist registration fee from $200 to $250. The prorated fee for lobbyist registrations submitted after January 1 of […]
The General Government Budget for 2026-2027 was passed and signed by Gov. Hochul. Included in the budget was an increase to the lobbyist registration fee from $200 to $250. The prorated fee for lobbyist registrations submitted after January 1 of the second calendar year of the biennial period was abolished, making the full $250 fee due with every registration. Additionally, lobbyist training must be completed once every two years and at least once in each biennium, beginning with the next biennium on January 1, 2027.
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June 16, 2026 •
Palm Beach County, Florida Increases Lobbyist Registration Fee
During the last County Commission meeting, an ordinance was passed to raise the fee for lobbyist registration from a one-time $25 fee to an annual $200 fee per principal. The county believes the prior fee no longer covers the administrative […]
During the last County Commission meeting, an ordinance was passed to raise the fee for lobbyist registration from a one-time $25 fee to an annual $200 fee per principal. The county believes the prior fee no longer covers the administrative costs associated with maintaining and administering the Central Lobbyist Registry. The fee can be adjusted at any time but at least every five years to align with the consumer price index. The annual $200 registration fee is scheduled to begin October 1.
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June 15, 2026 •
Calgary Considering Establishing a Registry of Lobbyists
On June 11, Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas disclosed he is working with the city council to establish a registry of lobbyists for the city. The registry would be separate from a proposed provincial code of conduct applicable to local municipal […]
On June 11, Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas disclosed he is working with the city council to establish a registry of lobbyists for the city. The registry would be separate from a proposed provincial code of conduct applicable to local municipal councils announced earlier this year by Alberta’s Municipal Affairs Minister Dan Williams. The ministry issued a statement to Globalnews.ca that Calgary “is free to advance its own lobbying registry” independent of the province.
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The Canadian federal Commissioner of Lobbying Nancy Bélanger has submitted her annual report to the Parliament of Canada for 2025-26. The report, which covers registrations, lobbyist activity reports, compliance, and other issues concerning the commissioner’s office, also highlights the implementation […]
The Canadian federal Commissioner of Lobbying Nancy Bélanger has submitted her annual report to the Parliament of Canada for 2025-26. The report, which covers registrations, lobbyist activity reports, compliance, and other issues concerning the commissioner’s office, also highlights the implementation of a new registration threshold and the start of the statutory review of the Lobbying Act. A new interpretation bulletin was issued in July of 2025, lowering the registration threshold for organizations and corporations. That threshold became effective on January 19, 2026. The report details the October 10, 2025, briefing session about the current lobbying law, which Commissioner Bélanger had with the Parliament through its Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics (ETHI). It also details the statutory review of the Lobbying Act begun on March 9, 2026, by the ETHI with Commissioner Bélanger as the first witness. Belanger discussed her 21 recommendations for modernizing and improving the federal lobbying law. This annual report is required to be filed within three months after the end of each fiscal year by the commissioner about the administration of the Lobbying Act during that fiscal year.
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June 9, 2026 •
California Local Lobbying Rules: What You Need to Know
Does California State Lobbyist Registration Cover Local Lobbying? No. California’s state lobbyist registration does not cover lobbying directed at local jurisdictions. Before engaging with any county or local official, you must determine whether that jurisdiction has its own lobbying ordinance. […]
Does California State Lobbyist Registration Cover Local Lobbying?
No. California’s state lobbyist registration does not cover lobbying directed at local jurisdictions. Before engaging with any county or local official, you must determine whether that jurisdiction has its own lobbying ordinance.
State Registration and Local Lobbying in California
California’s state lobbying law governs activity directed at state officials and state government entities. It does not extend to lobbying at the local level. That means a registered state lobbyist may still need to register separately with individual cities, counties, or local governmental bodies before making contact with their officials.
The scope of local lobbying requirements varies widely. In some cases, a locality, its county, and governmental entities within that county each maintain their own independent lobbying ordinances.
The Los Angeles area is a clear example of this complexity. Each of the following has its own lobbying requirements:
- City of Los Angeles
- County of Los Angeles
- Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LAMTA)
- Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD)
There is no unified registration that covers all of these entities. Each must be evaluated and addressed separately.
How to Approach Local Lobbying Compliance in California
Because no single registration covers local jurisdictions in California, the starting point for any local lobbying effort is identifying two things before outreach begins:
- The officials you intend to contact, and
- The governmental entities those officials represent.
From there, you can determine which local ordinances apply and what registration, reporting, or disclosure obligations must be met.
For organizations operating across multiple California jurisdictions, this process can be complex. State and Federal Communications provides lobbying compliance consulting to help government affairs professionals navigate these requirements efficiently.
California Gift Laws and Local Jurisdictions
Gift law compliance adds another layer of consideration for California lobbyists operating at the local level.
California’s state gift laws differ in scope from its lobbying laws. While state lobbying laws do not apply to local jurisdictions, state gift laws do apply at the local level. This means lobbyists engaging with local officials in California must still comply with state gift rules even if they are not required to register with the state .
However, local governments in California are free to adopt their own gift rules, and those local rules may be more stringent than state law. The City of Los Angeles is one example where local gift rules are more stringent than state requirements.
Best practice: always review applicable local gift ordinances before providing any gifts or hospitality to public officials, even if you believe the gift would be permitted by the state gift law.
Where to Find California Local Lobbying Guidance
Navigating local California lobbying requirements requires jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction analysis. State and Federal Communications maintains detailed guidance through its online compliance guidebooks, which cover local lobbying ordinances and gift rules across California jurisdictions.
For hands-on support, the firm’s lobbying compliance consulting services can help ensure your organization meets all applicable local requirements before engaging public officials.
No. California’s state lobbying law applies only to state-level government activity. Lobbying directed at local jurisdictions, including cities, counties, and local governmental entities, is not covered by state registration. Each local jurisdiction must be evaluated separately for its own registration and compliance requirements.
Potentially, yes. The City of Los Angeles, the County of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LAMTA), and the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) each have their own lobbying requirements. Engaging with officials across these entities may require separate registrations with each.
Yes. Unlike the state’s lobbying laws, California’s state gift laws do apply to local jurisdictions. However, local governments may adopt gift rules that are more restrictive than state law. You should always review applicable local gift ordinances before providing gifts or hospitality to local public officials.
Before beginning any outreach, identify the officials you intend to contact and the governmental entities they represent. That information will determine which local lobbying ordinances and gift rules apply and what compliance steps are required.
State and Federal Communications publishes jurisdiction-specific guidance in its online compliance guidebooks and offers direct consulting support for organizations navigating California’s local lobbying landscape.
June 3, 2026 •
Denver, Colorado City Council Takes Up Lobbying Reform
The Denver, Colorado City Council is set to consider sweeping reforms to the city’s lobbying code. Bill 26-0686 would require lobbyists to report grassroots lobbying expenditures in addition to legislative and administrative lobbying activities. The bill includes definitional changes, updated […]
The Denver, Colorado City Council is set to consider sweeping reforms to the city’s lobbying code. Bill 26-0686 would require lobbyists to report grassroots lobbying expenditures in addition to legislative and administrative lobbying activities. The bill includes definitional changes, updated registration requirements, and additional disclosure requirements for lobbyists’ activity reports. The council next considers the legislation on June 8.
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May 15, 2026 •
Colorado Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The Colorado Legislature adjourned sine die on May 13. Lawmakers passed House Bill 1422, a bill addressing security measures for certain governmental entities and modifying registration requirements for political committees. The bill specifies the address of the principal place of […]
The Colorado Legislature adjourned sine die on May 13. Lawmakers passed House Bill 1422, a bill addressing security measures for certain governmental entities and modifying registration requirements for political committees. The bill specifies the address of the principal place of operations listed by a political committee or small donor committee on its registration statement may be either a street address or a mailing address. If the bill is approved by Gov. Jared Polis, this provision will take effect immediately. Legislators also passed Senate Bill 147, a bill which would require legislative liaisons, judicial lobbyists, and governor’s lobbyists to register and file disclosure statements similar to professional lobbyists. Polis has not yet acted on this bill, but his office has signaled disfavor. If approved, the bill would take effect August 12.
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State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.
