Overview: Statements of Registration
The Lobbying Act requires the filing of a biennial Lobbyist Statement of Registration (“Registration”). A Registration is a forward-looking document that captures the actual and anticipated Lobbying Activities, including the Focuses and Parties that you expect to lobby, during the biennial (two-year) period. Registrations must be filed by a Lobbyist who is retained, employed, or designated to lobby, and exceeds or reasonably anticipates exceeding the $5,000 threshold for combined Reportable Lobbying Compensation and Expenses at the State and/or Municipal Level in a calendar year. Lobbyists who have exceeded or anticipate exceeding the threshold must file a Registration for every Client on whose behalf the Lobbyist lobbies, regardless of the Compensation or Expenses paid by each Client individually.
What follows is the information to help you get ready to file a Registration.
Filing Due Dates
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2023-2024 Lobbying Filing Due Dates
2023-2024 Filing due dates for Lobbyists, Clients, and Public Corporations
Revised 11/10/22
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2021-2022 Lobbying Filing Due Dates
2021-2022 Filing due dates for Lobbyists, Clients, and Public Corporations.
Revised 6/28/2022
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Registration Filing Instructions
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Lobbyist and Public Corporation Registration Instructions
Instructions to file the Lobbyist/Public Corporation Statement of Registration.
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Coalition Filing Requirements
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
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How to Properly Disclose Lobbying Activities Information
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
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Lobbying Subjects for Registration, Bi-Monthly, and Client Semi-Annual Reports
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
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2019-2020 Lobbyist Statement of Registration and Registration Amendment Information
Information and instructions on what to report on a Statement of Registration or Registration Amendment. For instructions on using the new LA, refer to "How to File a Statement of Registration and RBR in LA". Only applicable for the 2019-2020 biennial period.
Revised 5/09/2019.
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Lobbying Agreement Forms, Unexecuted Lobbying Agreement Forms, Sample Letters, and Coalition Questionnaire
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Lobbying Agreement Form - Employed Lobbyists
This form may be submitted with a Statement of Registration in lieu of a copy of a lobbying agreement or contract.
Revised 11/2/2022
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Lobbying Agreement Form - Retained Lobbyists
This form may be submitted with a Statement of Registration in lieu of a copy of a lobbying agreement or contract.
Revised 11/1/2022
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Unexecuted Lobbying Agreement Form and Instructions
This form may be used by a Retained Lobbyist who is prepared to register with the Commission, but has not received the signed (executed) Lobbying Agreement back from your Client.
Revised 12/1/2022
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Sample Written Authorization Letter - Retained Lobbyists
Use this sample written authorization letter for filing years 2023 through 2019.
Revised 10/20/2022
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Sample Written Authorization Letter - Employed Lobbyists
Use this sample written authorization letter for Employed Lobbyists for filing years 2023 through 2019.
Revised 10/20/2022
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Sample Agreement Authorization Change - Force and Effect
This sample letter advises the Commission of a change in the terms of an agreement/authorization for filing years 2023 through 2019.
Revised 10/20/22
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Designation Sample Letter
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
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Sample Letter: Explanation Lapse for 2019-2020 Filings
This sample letter can be used if (1) the Lobbying Agreement was not executed by a Client within 15 days of the date on which the Lobbyist agreed to – or was authorized to – begin Lobbying Activity (the start date); or (2) there is a ‘gap in time’ from the expiration (end date) of a Lobbying Agreement already on file with the Commission, and the start date of a ‘new’ extended agreement.
Only valid for Filings for the 2019-2020 Biennial Period.
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Coalition Questionnaire
This is for use by Coalitions to determine if any members of the Coalition exceed the $5,000 Compensation and Expenses threshold and would need to be listed as Beneficial Clients. Only applicable for the 2019-2020 Biennial.
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Terminations
The process of terminating in the new lobbying application is currently under review and is unavailable to the filer at this time. Therefore, in the event a filer needs to terminate before this feature becomes available or until further instruction is provided, please notify the Commission either by mail, to 540 Broadway, Albany NY 12207 or via email, to [email protected]. Notification of a termination must be submitted by an authorized person (CAO or DA) and must provide the information requested in these sample letters.
Please note - requirements for when a Termination notice needs to be sent have changed in the Comprehensive Lobbying Regulations. Please refer to the regulations, specifically Part 943.10, for more information.
This termination procedure is temporary and will likely change for future filings once the lobbying application begins processing terminations. Please contact Commission staff should you have any questions regarding compliance so that we can advise you on the best form of action.
Commission staff will notify you as soon as your termination has been processed.
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Sample Letter - Registration Termination
Use this letter as a sample letter for Registration Terminations related to 2019 and later year filings.
Revised 11/2/2022
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Sample Letter - Termination of Individual Lobbyist from Profile
Sample letter to assist Filers in terminating an Individual Lobbyist from an Organization Profile related to 2019 and later year filings.
For Paper PDF Filers only. Filers that utilize the online Lobbying Application must terminate Individual Lobbyists online.
Revised 11/2/2022
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Sample Letter - Client Termination
Use this letter as a sample letter for Client Terminations related to 2019 and later year filings.
Revised 11/2/2022
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Reportable Business Relationship Filing Instruction and Questionnaire
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Reportable Business Relationship Information
Information and instructions on what to report on a Reportable Business Relationship form.
Revised 11/28/2022
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Reportable Business Relationship Questionnaire
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
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PDF Forms for 'Paper Filers'
Refer to the applicable how to file instructions PRIOR to completing the form.
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Lobbyist and Public Corporation Statement of Registration
Writable PDF for Paper Filers. Use this form to file and submit your Lobbyist/Public Corporation Statement of Registration.
Revised 10/19/2022
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2019-2020 Lobbyist and Public Corporation Statement of Registration
Writable PDF. Only applicable for the 2019-2020 Biennial.
DO NOT use for 2021-2022 Biennial.
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Business Relationship Form - Entity
Use this form to disclose a Reportable Business Relationship with an Entity.
Revised 10/19/2022
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Business Relationship Form - State Person
Use this form to disclose a Reportable Business Relationship with a State Person.
Revised 10/19/2022
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Lobbying Application Instructions
Instructions for navigating the online Lobbying Application.
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How to Verify Your Email and Recertify Your Profile
For existing Filers. Required for the start of the 2021-2022 Biennial.
Revised 6/30/2022
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Contact Lobbying Filings Specialist
For technical assistance, or help with Registrations, Lobbyist Bi-Monthly reports, Client Semi-Annual reports, and other lobbying-related disclosure forms, the Lobbying line is available from 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, by contacting the main Commission phone number.
Contact us by phone:
Contact us by email:
Mailing Address:
New York State
Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government
540 Broadway
Albany, New York 12207