San Francisco law requires lobbyists influencing the City and working on behalf of the City to register and file reports disclosing their lobbying activity. It also imposes certain restrictions on these lobbyists. There are three types of lobbyists:
The Commission is authorized by the City Charter to conduct audits of Lobbyists. Lobbyists who fail to file disclosures on time are subject to late fees.
Laws
The City’s Lobbyist Ordinance is found at Campaign and Governmental Conduct Code sections 2.100 et seq.
The Ethics Commission has also promulgated regulations implementing the Lobbyist Ordinance.
Lobbyists on behalf of the City are regulated by the Sunshine Ordinance (SF Administrative Code, Chapter 67, §67.1, et seq.).
Regulations that only apply to Expenditure Lobbyists can be found in the Annotated Expenditure Lobbyist (Prop C) Regulations Adopted by the Ethics Commission on February 29, 2016.
The ballot measure Proposition T which was approved by San Francisco voters on November 8th 2016 restricts lobbyists gifts, contributions and bundling.
Training & Resources
Visit the Commission’s Training & Resources page for a full listing of trainings and resources applicable to lobbyists.