Table of Contents
Introduction
The San Francisco Sunshine Ordinance, S.F. Admin. Code Section 67.1 et seq., requires lobbyists who contract for economic consideration with the City to represent the City in matters before any local, regional, state, or federal administrative or legislative body to file quarterly activity reports with the Ethics Commission.
These persons and entities are referred to as Lobbyists on Behalf of the City.
Lobbyists on Behalf of the City should not be confused with lobbyists who attempt to influence City officers on local legislative or administrative action on behalf of private parties. Those lobbyists are regulated by the San Francisco Lobbyist Ordinance, S.F. Campaign and Governmental Conduct Code Section 2.100 et seq., not by the Sunshine Ordinance.
Who Qualifies as a Lobbyist on Behalf of the City?
1. Individual person
A person qualifies as a Lobbyist on Behalf of the City if that person is hired by the City to lobby on behalf of the City, and either:
- receives or becomes entitled to receive $300 or more in total compensation in any calendar month for influencing legislative or administrative action on behalf of the City; or
- has at least 25 separate contacts with local, state, regional, or national officials for the purpose of influencing legislative or administrative action on behalf of the City within any two consecutive calendar months.
2. Business or organization
A business or organization qualifies as a Lobbyist on Behalf of the City if the business or organization is hired by the City to lobby on behalf of the City and:
- compensates its employees or members for their lobbying activities on behalf of the City; and
- the compensated employees or members have at least 25 separate contacts within any two consecutive calendar months with local, state, regional, or national officials for the purpose of influencing legislative or administrative action on behalf of the City.
What Is a Contact?
A contact is an oral or written communication made for the purpose of influencing local, state, regional, or national legislative or administrative action on behalf of the City.
How Are Total Compensation and Total Number of Contacts Calculated?
- Total compensation is calculated by combining all compensation received from the City during a calendar month for all lobbying activities.
- Total number of contacts is calculated by combining all contacts made during a two-calendar-month period on behalf of the City for all lobbying activities.