Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995
PL 104-65 (S.1060), enacted 12/19/1995

PUBLIC LAW 104-65—DEC. 19, 1995 
109 STA^. 691 
Public Law 104-65 
104th Congress 
An Act 
To provide for the disclosure of lobbying activities to influence the Federal 
Government, and for other pxuposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives 
of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled. 
Dec. 19, 1995 
[S. 1060] 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
Lobbying 
Disclosure Act of 
1995. 
Public 
This Act may be cited as the "Lobbying Disclosure Act of information 
1995". 
2 u s e 1601 note. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
2USC1601. 
The Congress finds that— 
(1) responsible representative Government requires public 
awareness of the efforts of paid lobbyists to influence the public 
decisionmaking process in both the legislative and executive 
branches of the Federal Government; 
(2) existing lobbying disclosure statutes have been ineffec-
tive because of unclear statutory language, weak administrative 
and enforcement provisions, and an absence of clear guidance 
as to who is required to register and what they are required 
to disclose; and 
(3) the effective public disclosure of the identity and extent 
of the efforts of paid lobbyists to influence Federal officials 
in the conduct of Government actions will increase public con-
fidence in the integrity of Grovernment. 
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
2USC1602. 
As used in this Act: 
(1) AGENCY.—The term "agenc}^' has the meaning given 
that term in section 551(1) of title 5, United States Code. 
(2) CLIENT.—^The term "client" means any person or entity 
that employs or retains another person for financial or other 
compensation to conduct lobbying activities on behalf of that 
person or entity. A person or entity whose employees act as 
lobbyists on its own behalf is both a client and an employer 
of such employees. In the case of a coalition or association 
that employs or retains other persons to conduct lobbying activi-
ties, the client is the coalition or association and not its individ-
ual members. 
(3) COVERED EXECUTIVE BRANCH OFFICIAL.—^The term "cov-
ered executive branch official" means— 
(A) the President; 
(B) the Vice President; 
109 STAT. 692 
PUBLIC LAW 104-65—DEC. 19, 1995 
(C) any officer or employee, or any other individual 
functioning in the capacity of such an officer or employee, 
in the Executive Office of the President; 
(D) any officer or employee serving in a position in 
level I, II, III, IV, or V of the Executive Schedule, as 
designated by statute or Executive order; 
(E) any member of the uniformed services whose pay 
grade is at or above 0-7 under section 201 of title 37, 
IJnited States Code; and 
(F) any officer or employee serving in a position of 
a confidential, policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-
advocating character described in section 7511(b)(2) of title 
5, United States Code. 
(4) COVERED LEGISLATIVE BRANCH OFFICIAL.—^The term 
"covered legislative branch official" means— 
(A) a Member of Congress; 
(B) an elected officer of either House of Congress; 
(C) any employee of, or any other individual functioning 
in the capacity of an employee of— 
(i) a Member of Congress; 
(ii) a committee of either House of Congress; 
(iii) the leadership staff of the House of Represent-
atives or the leadership staff of the Senate; 
(iv) a joint committee of Congress; and 
(v) a working group or caucus organized to provide 
legislative services or other assistance to Members of 
Congress; and 
(D) any other legislative branch employee serving in 
a position described under section 109(13) of the Ethics 
in Government Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.). 
(5) EMPLOYEE.—^The term "employee" means any individual 
who is an officer, employee, partner, director, or proprietor 
of a person or entity, but does not include— 
(A) independent contractors; or 
(B) volunteers who receive no financial or other com-
pensation from the person or entity for their services. 
(6) FOREIGN ENTITY.—^The term "foreign entity" means a 
foreign principal (as defined in section 1(b) of the Foreign 
Agents Registration Act of 1938 (22 U.S.C. 611(b)). 
(7) LOBBYING ACTiviTiES.^The term "lobbying activities" 
means lobbying contacts and efforts in support of such contacts, 
including preparation and planning activities, research and 
other background work that is intended, at the time it is 
performed, for use in contacts, and coordination with the lobby-
ing activities of others. 
(8) LOBBYING CONTACT.— 
(A) DEFINITION.—^The term "lobbying contact" means 
any oral or written communication (including an electronic 
communication) to a covered executive branch official or 
a covered legislative branch official that is made on behalf 
of a client with regard to— 
(i) the formulation, modification, or adoption of 
Federal legislation (including legislative proposals); 
(ii) the formulation, modification, or adoption of 
a Federal rule, regulation. Executive order, or any 
other program, policy, or position of the United States 
Government; 
PUBLIC l A W 104-65—DEC. 19, 1995 
109 STAT. 693 
(iii) the administration or execution of a Federal 
program or policy (including the negotiation, award, 
or administration of a Federal contract, grant, loan, 
permit, or license); or 
(iv) the nomination or confirmation of a person 
for a position subject to confirmation by the Senate., 
(B) EXCEPTIONS.—^The term "lobbying contact" does not 
include a communication that is— 
(i) made by a public official acting in the public 
official's official capacity; 
(ii) made by a representative of a media organiza-
tion if the purpose of the communication is gathering 
and disseminating news and information to the public; 
(iii) made in a speech, article, publication or other 
material that is distributed and made available to the 
public, or through radio, television, cable television, 
or other medium of mass communication; 
(iv) made on behalf of a government of a foreign 
country or a foreign political party and disclosed under 
the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 (22 U.S.C. 
611 et seq.); 
(v) a request for a meeting, a request for the 
status of an action, or any other similar administrative 
request, if the request does not include an attempt 
to influence a covered executive branch official or a 
covered legislative branch official; 
(vi) made in the course of participation in an 
advisory committee subject to the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act; 
(vii) testimony given before a committee, sub-
committee, or task force of the Congress, or submitted 
for inclusion in the public record of a hearing conducted 
by such committee, subcommittee, or task force; 
(viii) information provided in writing in response 
to an oral or written request by a covered executive 
branch official or a covered legislative branch official 
for specific information; 
(ix) required by subpoena, civil investigative 
demand, or otherwise compelled by statute, regulation, 
or other action of the Congress or an agency; 
(x) made in response to a notice in the Federal 
Register, Commerce Business Daily, or other similar 
publication soliciting communications from the public 
and directed to the agency official specifically des-
ignated in the notice to receive such communications; 
(xi) not possible to report without disclosing 
information, the unauthorized disclosure of which is 
prohibited by law; 
(xii) made to an official in an agency with regard 
to— 
(I) a judicial proceeding or a criminal or civil , 
law enforcement inquiry, investigation, or proceed-
ing; or 
(II) a filing or proceeding that the Government 
is specifically required by statute or regulation 
to maintain or conduct on a confidential basis. 
109 STAT. 694 
PUBLIC LAW 104.-65—DEC. 19, 1995 
if that agency is charged with responsibility for such 
proceeding, inquiry, investigation, or filing; 
(xiii) made in compliance with written agency 
procedures regarding an adjudication conducted by the 
agency under section 554 of title 5, United States Code, 
or substantially similar provisions; 
(xiv) a written comment filed in the course of a 
public proceeding or any other communication that 
is made on the record in a public proceeding; 
(xv) a petition for agency action made in writing 
and required to be a matter of public record pursuant 
to established agency procedures; 
(xvi) made on behalf of an individual with regard 
to that individual's benefits, employment, or other per-
sonal matters involving only that individual, except 
that this clause does not apply to any communication 
with— 
(I) a covered executive branch official, or 
(II) a covered legislative branch official (other 
than the individual's elected Members of Congress 
or employees who work under such Members' 
direct supervision), 
with respect to the formulation, modification, or adop-
tion of private legislation for the relief of that individ-
ual; 
(xvii) a disclosure by an individual that is protected 
under the amendments made by the Whistleblower 
Protection Act of 1989, under the Inspector General 
Act of 1978, or under another provision of law; 
(xviii) made by— 
(I) a church, its integrated auxiliary, or a 
convention or association of churches that is 
exempt from filing a Federal income tax return 
under paragraph 2(A)(i) of section 6033(a) of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or 
(II) a religious order that is exempt from filing 
a Federal income tax return under paragraph 
(2)(A)(iii) of such section 6033(a); and 
(xix) between— 
(I) officials of a self-regulatory organization 
(as defined in section 3(a)(26) of the Securities 
Exchange Act) that is registered with or estab-
lished by the Securities and Exchange Commission 
as required by that Act or a similar organization 
that is designated by or registered with the 
Commodities Future Trading Commission as pro-
vided under the Commodity Exchange Act; and 
(II) the Securities and Exchange Commission 
or the Commodities Future Trading Commission, 
respectively; 
relating to the regulatory responsibilities of such 
organization under that Act. 
(9) LOBBYING FIRM.—^The term "lobbying firm" means a 
person or entity that has 1 or more employees who are lobbyists 
on behsdf of a client other than that person or entity. The 
term also includes a self-employed individual who is a lobbyist. 
^ * * % s 
PUBLIC LAW 104-65—DEC. 19, 1995 
109 STAT. 695 
(10) LOBBYIST.—^The term "lobbyist" means any individual 
who is employed or retained by a client for financial or other 
compensation for services that include more than one lobbjdng 
contact, other than an individual whose lobbying activities con-
stitute less than 20 percent of the time engaged in the services 
provided by such individual to that client over a six month 
period. 
(11) MEDIA ORGANIZATION.—^The term "media organization" 
means a person or entity engaged in disseminating information 
to the general public through a newspaper, magazine, other 
publication, radio, television, cable television, or other medium 
of mass communication. 
(12) MEMBER OF CONGRESS.—^The term "Member of Con-
gress" means a Senator or a Representative in, or Delegate 
or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress. 
(13) ORGANIZATION.—^The term "organization" means a per-
son or entity other than an individual. 
(14) PERSON OR ENTITY.—^The term "person or entity" 
means any individual, corporation, company, 
foundation, 
association, labor organization, firm, partnership, society, joint 
stock company, group of organizations, or State or local govern-
ment. 
(15) PUBLIC OFFICIAL.—The term "public official" means 
any elected official, appointed official, or employee of— 
(A) a Federal, State, or local unit of government in 
the United States other than— 
(i) a college or university; 
(ii) a government-sponsored enterprise (as defined 
in section 3(8) of the Congressional Budget and 
Impoundment Control Act of 1974); 
(iii) a public utility that provides gas, electricity, 
water, or communications; 
(iv) a guaranty agency (as defined in section 435(j) 
of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1085(j))), including any affiliate of such an agency; 
or 
(v) an agency of any State functioning as a student 
loan secondary market pursuant to section 435(d)(1)(F) 
of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1085(d)(1)(F)); 
(B) a Government corporation (as defined in section 
9101 of title 31, United States Code); 
(C) an organization of State or local elected or 
appointed officials other than officials of an entity described 
in clause (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), or (v) of subparagraph (A); 
(D) an Indian tribe (as defined in section 4(e) of the 
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act 
(25 U.S.C. 450b(e)); 
(E) a national or State political party or any organiza-
tional unit thereof; or 
(F) a national, regional, or local unit of any foreign 
government. 
(16) STATE.—^The term "State" means each of the several 
States, the District of Columbia, and any commonwealth, terri-
tory, or possession of the United States. 
109 STAT. 696 
PUBLIC LAW 104-65—DEC. 19, 1995 
2 use 1603. 
SEC. 4. REGISTRATION OF LOBBYISTS. 
(a) REGISTRATION.— 
(1) GENERAL RULE.—^No later than 45 days after a lobbyist 
first makes a lobbjdng contact or is employed or retained to 
make a lobbying contact, whichever is earlier, such lobbyist 
(or, as provided under paragraph (2), the organization employ-
ing such lobbyist), shall register with the Secretary of the 
Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives. 
(2) EMPLOYER FILING.—Any organization that has 1 or more 
employees who are lobbjdsts shall file a single registration 
under this section on behalf of such employees for each client 
on whose behalf the employees act as lobb)dsts. 
(3) EXEMPTION.— 
(A) GENERAL RULE.—^Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) 
and (2), a person or entity whose— 
(i) total income for matters related to lobbying 
activities on behalf of a particular client (in the case 
of a lobbying firm) does not exceed £ind is not expected 
to exceed $5,000; or 
(ii) total expenses in connection with lobbying 
activities (in the case of an organization whose employ-
ees engage in lobbying activities on its own behalf) 
do not exceed or are not expected to exceed $20,000, 
(as estimated under section 5) in the semiannual period 
described in section 5(a) during which the registration 
would be made is not required to register under subsection 
(a) with respect to such client. 
(B) ADJUSTMENT.—^The dollar amounts in subpara-
graph (A) shall be adjusted— 
(i) on January 1, 1997, to reflect changes in the 
Consumer Price Index (as determined by the Secretary 
of Labor) since the date of enactment of this Act; 
and 
(ii) on January 1 of each fourth year occurring 
after January 1, 1997, to reflect changes in the 
Consumer Price Index (as determined by the Secretary 
of Labor) during the preceding 4-year period, 
rounded to the nearest $500. 
(b) CONTENTS OF REGISTRATION.—^Each registration under this 
section shall contain— 
(1) the name, address, business telephone number, and 
principal place of business of the registrant, and a general 
description of its business or activities; 
(2) the name, address, and principal place of business of 
the registrant's client, and a general description of its business 
or activities (if different from paragraph (1)); 
(3) the name, address, and principal place of business of 
any organization, other than the client, that— 
(A) contributes more than $10,000 toward the lobbying 
activities of the registrant in a semiannual period described 
in section 5(a); and 
(B) in whole or in major part plans, supervises, or 
controls such lobbying activities. 
(4) the name, address, principal place of business, amount 
of any contribution of more than $10,000 to the lobbjdng activi-
ties of the registrant, and approximate percentage of equitable 
ownership in the client (if any) of any foreign entity that— 
PUBLIC IJ^W 104-65—DEC. 19, 1995 
109 STAT. 697 
(A) holds at least 20 percent equitable ownership in 
the client or any organization identified under paragraph 
(3); 
(B) directly or indirectly, in whole or in major part, 
plans, supervises, controls, directs, finances, or subsidizes 
the activities of the client or any organization identified 
under paragraph (3); or 
(C) is an affiliate of the client or any organization 
identified under paragraph (3) and has a direct interest 
in the outcome of the lobbying activity; 
(5) a statement of— 
(A) the general issue areas in which the registrant 
expects to engage in lobbjdng activities on behalf of the 
client; and 
(B) to the extent practicable, specific issues that have 
(as of the date of the registration) already been addressed 
or are likely to be addressed in lobbying activities; and 
(6) the name of each employee of the registrant who has 
acted or whom the registrant expects to act as a lobbyist 
on behalf of the client and, if any such employee has served 
as a covered executive branch official or a covered legislative 
branch official in the 2 years before the date on which such 
employee first acted (after the date of enactment of this Act) 
as a lobbyist on behalf of the client, the position in which 
such employee served. 
(c) GUIDELINES FOR REGISTRATION.— 
(1) MULTIPLE CLIENTS.—In the case of a registrant making 
lobbying contacts on behalf of more than 1 client, a separate 
registration under this section shall be filed for each such 
client. 
(2) MULTIPLE CONTACTS.—^A registrant who makes more 
than 1 lobbying contact for the same client shall file a single 
registration covering all such lobbying contacts. 
(d) TERMINATION OF REGISTRATION.—^A registrant who after 
registration— 
(1) is no longer employed or retained by a client to conduct 
lobbying activities, and 
(2) does not anticipate any additional lobbying activities 
for such client, 
may so notify the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the 
House of Representatives and terminate its registration. 
SEC. 5. REPORTS BY REGISTERED LOBBYISTS. 
2 USC 1604. 
(a) SEMIANNUAL REPORT.—No later than 45 days after the 
end of the semiannual period beginning on the first day of each 
January and the first day of July of each year in which a registrant 
is registered under section 4, each registrant shall file a report 
with the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House 
of Representatives on its lobbying activities during such semiannual 
period. A separate report shall be filed for each client of the reg-
istrant. 
(b) CONTENTS OF REPORT.—Each semiannual report filed under 
subsection (a) shall contain— 
(1) the name of the registrant, the name of the client, 
and any changes or updates to the information provided in 
the initial registration; 
109 STAT. 698 
PUBLIC LAW 104^65—DEC. 19, 1995 
(2) for each general issue area in which the registrant 
engaged in lobbying activities on behalf of the client during 
the semiannual filing period— 
(A) a list of the specific issues upon which a lobbyist 
employed by the registrant engaged in lobbying activities, 
including, to the maximum extent practicable, a list of 
bill numbers and references to specific executive branch 
actions; 
(B) a statement of the Houses of Congress and the 
Federal agencies contacted by lobbyists employed by the 
registrant on behalf of the client; 
(C) a list of the employees of the registrant who acted 
as lobbyists on behalf of the client; and 
(D) a description of the interest, if any, of any foreign 
entity identified under section 4(b)(4) in the specific issues 
listed under subparagraph (A); 
(3) in the case of a lobbying firm, a good faith estimate 
of the total amount of all income from the client (including 
any payments to the registrant by any other person for lobbying 
activities on behalf of the client) during the semiannual period, 
other than income for matters that are unrelated to lobbying 
activities; and 
(4) in the case of a registrant engaged in lobbying activities 
on its own behalf, a good faith estimate of the total expenses 
that the registrant and its employees incurred in connection 
with lobb3dng activities during the semiannual filing period. 
(c) ESTIMATES OF INCOME OR EXPENSES.—^For purposes of this 
section, estimates of income or expenses shall be made as follows: 
(1) Estimates of amounts in excess of $10,000 shall be 
rounded to the nearest $20,000. 
(2) In the event income or expenses do not exceed $10,000, 
the registrant shall include a statement that income or expenses 
totaled less than $10,000 for the reporting period. 
(3) A registrant that reports lobbying expenditures pursu-
ant to section 6033(b)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 
may satisfy the requirement to report income or expenses by 
filing with the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the 
House of Representatives a copy of the form filed in accordance 
with section 6033(b)(8). 
2 use 1605. 
SEC. 6. DISCLOSURE AND ENFORCEMENT. 
The Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of 
Representatives shall— 
(1) provide guidance and assistance on the registration 
and reporting requirements of this Act and develop common 
standards, rules, and procedures for compliance with this Act; 
(2) review, and, where necessary, verify and inquire to 
ensure the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of registra-
tion and reports; 
(3) develop filing, coding, and cross-indexing systems to 
carry out the purpose of this Act, including— 
(A) a publicly available list of all registered lobbyists, 
lobbying firms, and their clients; and 
(B) computerized systems designed to minimize the 
burden of filing and maximize public access to materials 
filed under this Act; 
PUBLIC LAW 104-65—DEC. 19, 1995 
109 STAT. 699 
(4) make available for public inspection and copjdng at 
reasonable times the registrations and reports filed under this 
Act; 
(5) retain registrations for a period of at least 6 years 
after they are terminated and reports for a period of at least 
6 years after they are filed; 
(6) compile and summarize, with respect to each semi- Records, 
annual period, the information contained in registrations and 
reports filed with respect to such period in a clear and complete 
manner; 
(7) notify any lobbyist or lobbying firm in writing that 
may be in noncompliance with this Act; and 
(8) notify the United States Attorney for the District of 
Columbia that a lobbyist or lobb5dng firm may be in noncompli-
ance with this Act, if the registrant has been notified in writing 
and has failed to provide an appropriate response within 60 
days after notice was given under paragraph (7). 
SEC. 7. PENALTIES. 
2 USC 1606. 
Whoever knowingly fails to— 
(1) remedy a defective filing within 60 days after notice 
of such a defect by the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk 
of the House of Representatives; or 
(2) comply with any other provision of this Act; 
shall, upon proof of such knowing violation by a preponderance 
of the evidence, be subject to a civil fine of not more than $50,000, 
depending on the extent and gravity of the violation. 
SEC. 8. RULES OF CONSTRUCTION. 
2 USC 1607. 
(a) CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.—^Nothing in this Act shall be con-
strued to prohibit or interfere with— 
(1) the right to petition the (Government for the redress 
of grievances; 
(2) the right to express a personal opinion; or 
(3) the right of association, 
protected by the first amendment to the Constitution. 
(b) PROHIBITION OF ACTIVITIES.—^Nothing in this Act shall be ; 
construed to prohibit, or to authorize any court to prohibit, lobbying 
activities or lobbying contacts by any person or entity, regardless 
of whether such person or entity is in compliance with the require-
ments of this Act. 
(c) AUDIT AND INVESTIGATIONS.—-Nothing in this Act shall be 
construed to grant general audit or investigative authority to the 
Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the House of Representa-
tives. 
SEC. 9. AMENDMENTS TO THE FOREIGN AGENTS REGISTRATION ACT. 
The Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 (22 U.S.C. 611 
et seq.) is amended— 
(1) in section 1— 
22 USC 611. 
(A) by striking subsection (j); 
(B) in subsection (o) by striking "the dissemination 
of political propaganda and any other activity which the 
person engaging therein believes will, or which he intends 
to, prevail upon, indoctrinate, convert, induce, persuade, 
or in any other way influence" and inserting "any activity 
that the person engaging in believes will, or that the person 
intends to, in any way influence"; 
109 STAT. 700 
PUBLIC LAW 104-65—DEC. 19, 1995 
(C) in subsection (p) by striking the semicolon and 
inserting a period; and 
(D) by striking subsection (q); 
(2) in section 3(g) (22 U.S.C. 613(g)), by striking "estab-
lished agency proceedings, whether formal or informal." and 
inserting "judicial proceedings, criminal or civil law enforce-
ment inquiries, investigations, or proceedings, or agency 
proceedings required by statute or regulation to be conducted 
on the record."; 
(3) in section 3 (22 U.S.C. 613) by adding at the end 
the following: 
"(h) Any agent of a person described in section 1(b)(2) or an 
entity described in section 1(b)(3) if the agent is required to register 
and does register under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 in 
connection with the agent's representation of such person or entity."; 
(4) in section 4(a) (22 U.S.C. 614(a))— 
(A) by striking "political propaganda" and inserting 
"informational materials"; and 
(B) by striking "and a statement, duly signed by or 
on behalf of such an agent, setting forth full information 
as to the places, times, and extent of such transmittal"; 
(5) in section 4(b) (22 U.S.C. 614(b))— 
(A) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking 
"political propaganda" and inserting "informational mate-
rials"; and 
(B) by striking "(i) in the form of prints, or" and all 
that follows through the end of the subsection and inserting 
"without 
placing in 
such informational 
materials 
a 
conspicuous statement that the materials are distributed 
by the agent on behalf of the foreign principal, and that 
additional information is on file with the Department of 
Justice, Washington, District of Columbia. The Attorney 
Greneral may by rule define what constitutes a conspicuous 
statement for the purposes of this subsection."; 
(6) in section 4(c) (22 U.S.C. 614(c)), by striking "political 
propaganda" and inserting "informational materials"; 
(7) in section 6 (22 U.S.C. 616)— 
(A) in subsection (a) by striking "and all statements 
concerning the distribution of political propaganda"; 
(B) in subsection (b) by striking ", and one copy of 
every item of political propaganda"; and 
(C) in subsection (c) by striking "copies of political 
propaganda,"; and 
(8) in section 8 (22 U.S.C. 618)— 
(A) in subsection (a)(2) by striking "or in any statement 
under section 4(a) hereof concerning the distribution of 
political propaganda"; and 
(B) by striking subsection (d). 
SEC. 
1
0
. 
AMENDMENTS 
TO 
THE 
BYRD 
AMENDMENT. 
(a) REVISED CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS.—Section 1352(b) 
of title 31, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2) by striking subparagraphs (A), (B), 
and (C) and inserting the following: 
"(A) the name of any registrant under the Lobbying 
Disclosure Act of 1995 who has made lobbying contacts 
PUBLIC LAW 104-65—DEC. 19, 1995 
109 STAT. 701 
on behalf of the person with respect to that Federal con-
tract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement; and 
"(B) a certification that the person making the declara-
tion has not made, and will not make, any payment prohib-
ited by subsection (a)."; 
(2) in paragraph (3) by striking all that follows "loan shall 
contain" and inserting "the name of any registrant under the 
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 who has made lobbying con-
tacts on behalf of the person in connection with that loan 
insurance or guarantee."; and 
(3) by striking paragraph (6) and redesignating paragraph 
(7) as paragraph (6). 
(b) REMOVAL OF OBSOLETE REPORTING REQUIREMENT.—Section 
1352 of title 31, United States Code, is further amended— 
(1) by striking subsection (d); and 
(2) by redesignating subsections (e), (f), (g), and (h) as 
subsections (d), (e), (f), and (g), respectively. 
SEC. 11. REPEAL OF CERTAIN LOBBYING PROVISIONS. 
(a) REPEAL OF THE FEDERAL REGULATION OF LOBBYING ACT.— 
The Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act (2 U.S.C. 261 et seq.) 
is repealed. 
(b) REPEAL OF PROVISIONS RELATING TO HOUSING LOBBYIST 
ACTIVITIES.— 
(1) Section 13 of the Department of Housing and Urban 
Development Act (42 U.S.C. 3537b) is repealed. 
(2) Section 536(d) of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 
1490p(d)) is repealed. 
SEC. 12. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS TO OTHER STATUTES. 
(a) AMENDMENT TO COMPETITIVENESS POLICY COUNCIL ACT.— 
Section 5206(e) of the Competitiveness Policy Council Act (15 U.S.C. 
4804(e)) is amended by inserting "or a lobbyist for a foreign entity 
(as the terms 'lobbyist' and 'foreign entity are defined under section 
3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995)" after "an agent for 
a foreign principal". 
(b) AMENDMENTS TO TITLE 18, UNITED STATES CODE.—Section 
219(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by inserting "or a lobbyist required to register under 
• the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 in connection with the 
representation of a foreign entity, as defined in section 3(6) 
of that Act" after "an agent of a foreign principal required 
to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938"; 
and 
(2) by striking out ", as amended,". 
(c) AviENDMENT TO FOREIGN SERVICE AcT OF 1980.—Section 
602(c) of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 4002(c)) is 
amended by inserting "or a lobbyist for a foreign entity (as defined 
in section 3(6) of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995)" after "an 
agent of a foreign principal (as defined by section 1(b) of the 
Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938)". 
SEC. 13. SEVERABILITY. 
2USC1608. 
If any provision of this Act, or the application thereof, is held 
invalid, the validity of the remainder of this Act and the application 
of such provision to other persons and circumstances shall not 
be affected thereby. 
109 STAT. 702 
PUBLIC LAW 104-65—DEC. 19, 1995 
2 use 1609. 
SEC. 14. mENTIFICATION OF CUENTS AND COVERED OFFICIALS. 
(a) ORAL LOBBYING CONTACTS.—Any person or entity that 
makes an oral lobbying contact with a covered legislative branch 
official or a covered executive branch official shall, on the request 
of the official at the time of the lobbying contact— 
(1) state whether the person or entity is registered under 
this Act and identify the client on whose behalf the lobbying 
contact is made; and 
(2) state whether such client is a foreign entity and identify 
any foreign entity required to be disclosed under section 4(b)(4) 
that has a direct interest in the outcome of the lobbying activity. 
(b) WRITTEN LOBBYING CONTACTS.—^Any person or entity reg-
istered under this Act that makes a written lobbying contact (includ-
ing an electronic communication) with a covered legislative branch 
official or a covered executive branch official shall— 
(1) if the client on whose behalf the lobb3dng contact was 
made is a foreign entity, identify such client, state that the 
client is considered a foreign entity under this Act, and state 
whether the person making the lobbying contact is registered 
on behalf of that client under section 4; and 
(2) identify any other foreign entity identified pursuant 
to section 4(b)(4) that has a direct interest in the outcome 
of the lobbying activity. 
(c) IDENTIFICATION AS COVERED OFFICIAL.—^Upon request by 
a person or entity making a lobbying contact, the individual who 
is contacted or the office employing that individual shall indicate 
whether or not the individual is a covered legislative branch official 
or a covered executive branch official. 
2 use 1610. 
SEC. 15. ESTIMATES BASED ON TAX REPORTING SYSTEM. 
(a) ENTITIES COVERED BY SECTION 6033(b) OF THE INTERNAL 
REVENUE CODE OF 1986.—A registrant that is required to report 
and does report lobbying expenditures pursuant to section 6033(b)(8) 
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 may— 
(1) make a good faith estimate (by category of dollar value) 
of applicable amounts that would be required to be disclosed 
under such section for the appropriate semiannual period to 
meet the requirements of sections 4(a)(3) and 5(b)(4); and 
(2) in lieu of using the definition of "lobbying activities" 
in section 3(7) of this Act, consider as lobbying activities only 
those activities that are influencing legislation as defined in 
section 4911(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. 
(b) ENTITIES COVERED BY SECTION 162(e) OF THE INTERNAL 
REVENUE CODE OF 1986.—^A registrant that is subject to section 
162(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 may— 
(1) make a good faith estimate (by category of dollar value) 
of applicable amounts that would not be deductible pursuant 
to such section for the appropriate semiannual period to meet 
the requirements of sections 4(a)(3) and 5(b)(4); and 
(2) in lieu of using the definition of "lobbying activities" 
in section 3(7) of this Act, consider as lobbying activities only 
those activities, the costs of which are not deductible pursuant 
to section 162(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. 
(c) DISCLOSURE OF ESTIMATE.—^Any registrant that elects to 
make estimates required by this Act under the procedures author-
ized by subsection (a) or (b) for reporting or threshold purposes 
shall— 
PUBLIC LAW 104-65—DEC. 19, 1995 
109 STAT. 703 
(1) inform the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of 
the House of Representatives that the registrant has elected 
to make its estimates under such procedures; and 
(2) make all such estimates, in a given calendar year, 
under such procedures. 
(d) STUDY.—Not later than March 31, 1997, the Comptroller 
General of the United States shall review reporting by registrants 
under subsections (a) and (b) and report to the Congress— 
(1) the differences between the definition of "lobb)dng activi-
ties" in section 3(7) and the definitions of "lobbying expendi-
tures", "influencing legislation", and related terms in sections 
162(e) and 4911 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as 
each are implemented by regulations; 
(2) the impact that any such differences may have on 
filing and reporting under this Act pursuant to this subsection; 
and 
(3) any changes to this Act or to the appropriate sections 
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that the Comptroller 
General may recommend to harmonize the definitions. 
SEC. 16. REPEAL OF THE RAMSPECK ACT. 
(a) REPEAL.—Subsection (c) of section 3304 of title 5, United 
States Code, is repealed. 
(b) REDESIGNATION.—Subsection (d) of section 3304 of title 5, 
United States Code, is redesignated as subsection (c). 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—^The repeal and amendment made by 5 use 3304 note, 
this section shall take effect 2 years after the date of the enactment 
of this Act. 
SEC. 17. EXCEPTED SERVICE AND OTHER EXPERIENCE CONSIDER-
ATIONS FOR COMPETITIVE SERVICE APPOINTMENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3304 of title 5, United States Code 
(as amended by section 2 of this Act) is further amended by adding 
at the end thereof the following new subsection: 
"(d) The Office of Personnel Management shall promulgate Regulations. 
regulations on the manner and extent that experience of an individ-
ual in a position other than the competitive service, such as the 
excepted service (as defined under section 2103) in the legislative 
or judicial branch, or in any private or nonprofit enterprise, may 
be considered in making appointments to a position in the competi-
tive service (as defined under section 2102). In promulgating such 
regulations 0PM shall not grant any preference based on the fact 
of service in the legislative or judicial branch. The regulations 
shall be consistent with the principles of equitable competition 
and merit based appointments.". 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—^The amendment made by this section 5 use 3304 note, 
shall take effect 2 years after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, except the Office of Personnel Management shall— 
(1) conduct a study on excepted service considerations for 
competitive service appointments relating to such amendment; 
and 
(2) take all necessary actions for the regulations described 
under such amendment to take effect as final regulations on 
the effective date of this section. 
SEC. 18. EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS. 
2USei611. 
An organization described in section 501(c)(4) of the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986 which engages in lobbying activities shall 
109 STAT. 704 
PUBLIC LAW 104-65—DEC. 19, 1995 
not be eligible for the receipt of Federal funds constituting an 
award, grant, contract, loan, or any other form. 
SEC. 19. AMENDMENT TO THE FOREIGN AGENTS REGISTRATION ACT 
(P.L. 75-583). 
Strike section 11 of the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 
22 use 621. 
1938, as amended, and insert in lieu thereof the following: 
"SECTION 11. REPORTS TO THE CONGRESS.—The Attorney Gen-
eral shall every six months report to the Congress concerning 
administration of this Act, including registrations filed pursuant 
to the Act, and the nature, sources and content of political propa-
ganda disseminated and distributed.". 
SEC. 20. DISCLOSURE OF THE VALUE OF ASSETS UNDER THE ETHICS 
IN GOVERNMENT ACT OF 1978. 
(a) INCOME.—Section 102(a)(1)(B) of the Ethics in Government 
5 use app. 102. 
Act of 1978 is amended— 
(1) in clause (vii) by striking "or"; and 
(2) by striking clause (viii) and inserting the following: 
"(viii) greater than $1,000,000 but not more than 
$5,000,000, or 
"(ix) greater than $5,000,000.". 
(b) ASSETS AND LIABILITIES.—Section 102(d)(1) of the Ethics 
in Government Act of 1978 is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (F) by striking "and"; and 
(2) by striking subparagraph (G) and inserting the follow-
ing: 
"(G) greater than $1,000,000 but not more than 
$5,000,000; 
"(H) greater than $5,000,000 but not more than 
$25,000,000; 
"(I) greater than $25,000,000 but not more than 
$50,000,000; and 
"(J) greater than $50,000,000.". 
(c) EXCEPTION.—Section 102(e)(1) of the Ethics in Government 
Act of 1978 is amended by adding after subparagraph (E) the 
following: 
"(F) For purposes of this section, categories with 
amounts or values greater than $1,000,000 set forth in 
sections 102(a)(1)(B) and 102(d)(1) shall apply to the 
income, assets, or liabilities of spouses and dependent chil-
dren only if the income, assets, or liabilities are held jointly 
with the reporting individual. All other income, assets, 
or liabilities of the spouse or dependent children required 
to be reported under this section in an amount or value 
greater than $1,000,000 shall be categorized only as an 
amount or value greater than $1,000,000.". 
SEC. 21. BAN ON TRADE REPRESENTATIVE REPRESENTING OR ADVIS-
ING FOREIGN ENTITIES. 
(a) REPRESENTING AFTER SERVICE.—Section 207(f)(2) of title 
18, United States Code, is amended by— 
(1) inserting "or Deputy United States Trade Representa-
tive" after "is the United States Trade Representative"; and 
(2) striking "within 3 years" and inserting "at any time". 
(b) LIMITATION ON APPOINTMENT AS UNITED STATES TRADE 
REPRESENTATIVE 
AND 
DEPUTY 
UNITED 
STATES 
TRADE REPRESENTA-
PUBLIC LAW 104-65—DEC. 19, 1995 
109 STAT. 705 
TIVE.—Section 141(b) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2171(b)) 
is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
"(3) LIMITATION ON APPOINTMENTS.—^A person who has 
directly represented, aided, or advised a foreign entity (as 
defined by section 207(f)(3) of title 18, United States Code) 
in any trade negotiation, or trade dispute, with the United 
States may not be appointed as United States Trade Represent-
ative or as a Deputy United States Trade Representative.". 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE .--The amendments made by this section 
18 use 207 note, 
shall apply with respect to an individual appointed as United States 
Trade Representative or as a Deputy United States Trade Rep-
resentative on or after the date of enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 22. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST IN QUALIFIED BLIND 
TRUST. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 102(a) of the Ethics in Government 
Act of 1978 is amended by adding at the end thereof the following: 5 USC app. 102. 
"(8) The category of the total cash value of any interest 
of the reporting individual in a qualified blind trust, unless 
the trust instrument was executed prior to July 24, 1995 and 
precludes the beneficiary from receiving information on the 
total cash value of any interest in the qualified blind trust.". 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 102(d)(1) of the Ethics 
in Government Act of 1978 is amended by striking "and (5) and 
inserting "(5), and (8)". 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—^The amendment made by this section 5 use app. 102 
shall apply with respect to reports filed under title I of the Ethics °ote. 
in Government Act of 1978 for calendar year 1996 and thereafter. 
SEC. 23. SENSE OF THE SENATE THAT LOBBYING EXPENSES SHOULD 
2 USC 1612. 
REMAIN NONDEDUCTIBLE. 
(a) FINDINGS.—^The Senate finds that ordinary Americans gen-
erally are not allowed to deduct the costs of communicating with 
their elected representatives. 
(b) SENSE OF THE SENATE.—It is the sense of the Senate that 
lobbying expenses should not be tax deductible. 
SEC. 24. EFFECTIVE DATES. 
2 USC 1601 note. 
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, this Act and 
the amendments made by this Act shall take effect on January 
I, 1996. 
(b) The repeals and amendments made under sections 9, 10, 
II, and 12 shall take effect as provided under subsection (a), except 
that such repeals and amendments— 
(1) shall not affect any proceeding or suit commenced before 
the effective date under subsection (a), and in all such proceed-
ings or suits, proceedings shall be had, appeals taken, and 
judgments rendered in the same manner and with the same 
effect as if this Act had not been enacted; and 
109 STAT. 706 
PUBLIC LAW 104-65—DEC. 19, 1995 
(2) shall not affect the requirements of Federal agencies 
to compile, publish, and retain information filed or received 
before the effective date of such repeals and amendments. 
Approved December 19, 1995. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 1060 (H.R. 2564) (S. 101): 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 104-339, Pt. 1, accompanying H.R. 2564 (Comm. on the Ju-
diciary). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 141 (1995): 
July 24, 25, considered and passed Senate. 
Nov. 16, 28, 29, H.R. 2564 considered and passed House; S. 1060 passed in 
lieu. 
WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS, Vol. 31 (1995): 
Nov. 19, Presidential statement.