Lobbyist registration
Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board
How do I know if I’m a lobbyist?
Lobbyists are individuals who are hired, or who act on their own, to lobby. An individual who
communicates with public or local officials or urges others to communicate with public or local officials
becomes a lobbyist after the individual:Is paid more than $3,000 in a year from all sources for lobbying,Spends more than $3,000 of their own money on lobbying, orSpends more than 50 hours in any month on lobbying activities if the individual is a non-elected
local official or an employee of a political subdivision

Do I have to register as a lobbyist?
An individual must register with the Board within five days after meeting the criteria for being a lobbyist or,
if already registered as a lobbyist, within five days after agreeing to represent a new principal.
If I am already registered as a lobbyist, do I need to register again?
A lobbyist must submit a new registration each time they agree to represent a new principal.
What if I am a volunteer?
An individual who is not already registered as a lobbyist and who lobbies on a volunteer basis does notneed to register with the Board as a lobbyist. However, a lobbyist who is already registered with theBoard must register for a new principal even if they are not going to be paid for the work on behalf of thatprincipal.
How do I register as a lobbyist?
A lobbyist registration form must be completed and sent to the Board by fax, email, U.S. mail, or personaldelivery. The form can be found on the Board’s website.
What happens if my registration information changes?
If something that a lobbyist puts on a registration form changes, they must tell the Board within 10 days ofthe change. It is very important to promptly notify the Board of changes in contact information because
this is what the Board uses to send out reporting information and bulletins on issues that affect lobbyists.
Changes to a registration must be in writing. The registration form can be used to report changes or an
e-mail or letter with the needed information can be sent to the Board.
How do you terminate your registration with the Board?
A lobbyist terminates their registration for a principal by filing a termination form with the Board. A reportmust also be filed listing all lobbying disbursements made on the principal’s behalf since the most recent
reporting period. If the lobbyist authorized another to report on their behalf, a list of the disbursements
must be provided to the reporting lobbyist. If a reporting lobbyist terminates a registration, the termination
automatically returns the reporting responsibility back to each authorizing lobbyist associated with thereporting lobbyist. If a designated lobbyist terminates a registration for the principal that designated thelobbyist, the principal has ten days to name someone else as its designated lobbyist.
What penalties apply if you don't follow the laws for registering as a lobbyist?
A late filing fee of $25 per day begins to run on the day after the registration is due, without notice. The
maximum late filing fee is $1,000. After a certified notice regarding the failure to file has been sent to alobbyist, the Board can also charge a civil penalty of up to $1,000.
Suite 190  Centennial Office Building  658 Cedar Street  St. Paul, MN 55155-1603
651-539-1180  800-657-3889  Fax 651-539-1196  800-357-4114  cf.board@state.mn.us
For TTY/TDD communication, contact us through the Minnesota Relay Service at 800-627-3529