Client Semi-Annual Report, Source of Funding and Reportable Business Information

2023-2024 Filing due dates for Lobbyists, Clients, and Public Corporations

Revised 11/10/22

2021-2022 Filing due dates for Lobbyists, Clients, and Public Corporations. 

Revised 6/28/2022

Technical 'click-here' instructions to help Filers navigate the online Lobbying Application when filing the Client Semi-Annual Report.

Technical 'click-here' instructions to help Filers navigate the online Lobbying Application when filing the Source of Funding Filing.

These instructions are intended to assist online Filers when navigating the online Lobbying Application.  Technical 'click-here' instructions include how to file information for both the Client Semi-Annual Report and Reportable Business Relationship information.   

For the 2019-2020 Biennial ONLY

Refer to these technical 'click-here' instructions for assistance in navigating the online Lobbying Application.

These instructions provide an overview of what information is needed for the Client Semi-Annual Report.

Beginning with the 2021 Biennial Registration Period, the Commission’s regulations have been amended to simplify and clarify how Lobbying Activity by Coalitions should be disclosed. The following guidance will assist a Coalition in determining whether it is required to file Lobbying Reports as a Coalition, or if, instead, its Members are required to disclose their Coalition Contributions in their own Lobbying Reports. Applicable for filing years 2023 through 2021.  

Revised 11/1/2022

Please reference this document PRIOR to disclosing Lobbying Activities in the Lobbyist Statement of Registration, Lobbyist/Public Corporation Bi-Monthly Report, Disbursement of Public Monies Bi-Monthly Report, and the Client Semi-Annual Report.  Applicable for the 2019-2020 and 2021-2022 Biennial.

Revised 11/28/2022

Information and instructions on what to report on a Client Semi-Annual Report ('CSA') or CSA Amendment. For instructions on using the new LA, refer to "How to File a Client Semi-Annual Report in LA".   

Only applicable for the 2019-2020 biennial period.

Revised 7/23/2019

This list provides options for Filers to report the subjects/issues they intend to be or are lobbying on at any given time. The list will be updated as new issues and topics arise.

Revised 7/8/2022

These instructions provide an overview of what information is needed to disclose Source of Funding.

Revised 11/30/22

The purpose of this document is to assist Client Filers (Lobbyists who lobby on their own behalf and Beneficial Clients) with the disclosure of Source of Funding (SoF) information in the Commission's Lobbying Application.

NOTE:  This document is not intended to assist Client Filers in determining whether they have met the Expenditure Threshold and require reporting to the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying.  

Refer to these instructions when completed the pre-formatted Excel Spreadsheet to disclose information on Sources of Funding.  Coming soon.

This spreadsheet is intended as an example to use as a guide while reading "Instructions for Completing the Excel Spreadsheet to Disclose SoF Information". Do not submit this as your Source of Funding disclosure. 

Please note - this spreadsheet will not immediately appear on your screen; it will download automatically and appear in your 'downloads' folder, or at the bottom of your screen. 

Please use this pre-formatted Excel Spreadsheet to disclose information on Sources for Source of Funding.  PAPER Filers who meet the Expenditure Threshold and are required to disclose Source of Funding information MUST utilize the pre-formatted Excel Spreadsheet.  The completed, original spreadsheet must be emailed to Commission staff at [email protected]; and should include your contact information and the name of the Beneficial Client to avoid filing delays.

ONLINE FILERS who meet the Expenditure Threshold and are required to disclose Source of Funding (“SoF”) information must either: utilize the Commission's online Lobbying Application (“LA”) to data-enter each Source individually; or complete and upload the pre-formatted Excel Spreadsheet provided by the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying. 

Refer to the 'Instructions for Completing the Pre-formatted Excel Spreadsheet to Disclose Source of Funding Information' prior to completing the blank spreadsheet.

Please note - this spreadsheet will not immediately appear on your screen; it will be automatically download and appear in your 'downloads' folder, or at the bottom of your screen. 

This sample letter allows a chief administrative officer of an organization to designate another individual to make and sign statement(s) and/or report(s). A "Designation Letter" is not necessary for filers utilizing the online filing system.

Please Note - The chief administrative officer may designate another to sign and file the reports, but this designation does not relieve the chief administrative officer of liability due to a failure to file, late filing or false filing of any report(s).

Revised 10/31/2022

Information and instructions on what to report on a Reportable Business Relationship form. 

Revised 11/28/2022

This is for use by a Lobbyist or Client Organization to send to its equity partners, officers, directors or High-Level Individuals, as applicable, to determine whether such persons have Reportable Business Relationships that must be disclosed by the Lobbyist or Client Organization. 

Revised 11/4/2022

Writable PDF for Paper Filers.  Use this form to file and submit your Client Semi-Annual Report. 

Revised 11/18/2022

The 2019-2020 Client Semi-Annual PDF form for paper Filers.  Revised 7/6/2020

This form may be used by Beneficial Clients that are Paper (PDF) Filers. All Beneficial Clients are required to complete this PDF form or submit this statement in the online Lobbying Application.  Completed PDF forms must be mailed to the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying.  Beneficial Clients required to disclose information on Sources must complete and mail this form AND e-mail the pre-formatted Excel Spreadsheet to [email protected].

Mail completed forms to:

NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government

540 Broadway

Albany, New York 12207

Revised 11/1/2022

Refer to these instructions when completed the pre-formatted Excel Spreadsheet to disclose information on Sources of Funding.  Coming soon.

This spreadsheet is intended as an example to use as a guide while reading "Instructions for Completing the Excel Spreadsheet to Disclose SoF Information". Do not submit this as your Source of Funding disclosure. 

Please note - this spreadsheet will not immediately appear on your screen; it will download automatically and appear in your 'downloads' folder, or at the bottom of your screen. 

Please use this pre-formatted Excel Spreadsheet to disclose information on Sources for Source of Funding.  PAPER Filers who meet the Expenditure Threshold and are required to disclose Source of Funding information MUST utilize the pre-formatted Excel Spreadsheet.  The completed, original spreadsheet must be emailed to Commission staff at [email protected]; and should include your contact information and the name of the Beneficial Client to avoid filing delays.

ONLINE FILERS who meet the Expenditure Threshold and are required to disclose Source of Funding (“SoF”) information must either: utilize the Commission's online Lobbying Application (“LA”) to data-enter each Source individually; or complete and upload the pre-formatted Excel Spreadsheet provided by the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying. 

Refer to the 'Instructions for Completing the Pre-formatted Excel Spreadsheet to Disclose Source of Funding Information' prior to completing the blank spreadsheet.

Please note - this spreadsheet will not immediately appear on your screen; it will be automatically download and appear in your 'downloads' folder, or at the bottom of your screen. 

Use this letter as a sample letter for Client Terminations related to 2019 and later year filings. 

Revised 11/2/2022