Registration_thresholds_page

SUBJECT: Adjustment in Dollar Amounts for Exemption from Registration under the Lobbying Disclosure Act.

The Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (LDA) exempts lobbying firms and organizations from registration and reporting under the LDA when lobbying income or expenses do not exceed certain dollar amounts.

Section 4(a)(3) of the LDA, 2 U.S.C. 1603(a)(3), set the initial dollar minimums at $5,000, in the case of lobbying income of a firm from a particular client, and $20,000, in the case of lobbying expenses incurred by an organization. Section 4(a)(3) further provides that the dollar amounts are adjusted on January 1, 1997 and every four years thereafter, based on changes in the Consumer Price Index. Any adjustments are rounded to the nearest $500.

Statistics published by the Department of Labor advise that the Consumer Price Index increased approximately 9.2% over the 4-year period from January 1, 2001 until January 1, 2005.

Accordingly, effective as of January 1, 2005:

• A lobbying firm whose total income for matters related to lobbying activities on behalf of a particular client does not exceed or is not expected to exceed $6,000 in the semiannual period during which the registration would be made is not required to register with respect to such client.
• A lobbying organization whose total expenses in connection with lobbying activities do not exceed or are not expected to exceed $24,500 in the semiannual period during which the registration would be made is not required to register.