In accordance with §38.17 of the Village Code, a lobbyist is defined as employees, persons, firms, or corporations employed or retained by a principal who seeks to encourage the passage, defeat, or modifications of: a. Any ordinance, resolution, action or decision of the Village Commission. b. Any action, decision, recommendation of any Village board or committee; or c. Any action, decision or recommendation of Village personnel during the time period of the entire decision-making process on the action, decision or recommendation which foreseeably will be heard or reviewed by the Village Commission, or a Village board or committee. “Lobbyist” specifically includes the principal, as well as any agent, officer or employee of a principal, regardless of whether the lobbying activities fall within the normal scope of employment of the agent, officer or employee. The term “lobbyist” specifically excludes the following persons: Lobbyists hired by the Village who are in communication with Village personnel in the course of performing under their contracts; attorneys or other representatives retained to represent individuals and corporate entities in quasi-judicial proceedings where the law prohibits ex-parte communications; expert witnesses who only provide scientific, technical or other specialized information or testimony at public meetings; employees of the principal who do not engage in lobbying activities and representatives of non-profit organizations who only appear at publicly noticed meetings, without special compensation or reimbursement for the appearance, whether direct, indirect or contingent, to express support or opposition to any item. (3)”Principal.” All persons, firms, or corporations who employ a lobbyist.