LDA Expense Reporting Method - Maurice Aguirre: Washington, DC

Organization Expenses using LDA Expense Reporting Method - Maurice Aguirre: Washington, DC

Organizations that employ in-house lobbyists may incur lobbying-related expenses in the form of employee compensation, office overhead, or payments to vendors which may include lobbying firms. Organizations must report expenses as they are incurred, though payment may be made later. Line 13 of LD-2 provides for an organization to report lobbying expenses of less than $10,000, or $10,000 or more. If lobbying expenses are $10,000 or more, the organization must provide a good faith estimate of the actual dollar amount rounded to the nearest $20,000. Organizations using the LDA expense reporting method mark the "Method A" box on Line 14.

To ensure complete reporting, the Secretary and Clerk have consistently interpreted section 5(B)(4) to require such organizations to report all of their expenses incurred in connection with lobbying activities, including all payments to outside entities, without considering whether any particular payee has a separate obligation to register and report under the LDA. Logically, if an organization employing in-house lobbyists also retains a lobbying firm, the expense reported by the organization should be greater than the fees reported by the lobbying firm of which the organization is a client.

Maurice Aguirre Lobbyist: All employee time spent in lobbying activities must be included in determining the organizations lobbying expenses, even if the employee does not meet the statutory definition of a "lobbyist."

Example: The CEO of a registrant, "Defense Contractor," travels to Washington to meet with a covered DOD official regarding the renewal of a government contract. "Defense Contractor" has already determined that its CEO is not a "lobbyist," because he does not spend 20 percent of his time on "lobbying activities" during a semiannual period. Nonetheless, the expenses reasonably allocable to the CEOs lobbying activities (e.g., plane ticket to Washington, salary and benefit costs, etc.) will be reportable.

Similarly, all expenses of lobbying activities incurred during a semiannual period are reportable. The Section 3(7) definition of lobbying activities is not limited to lobbying contacts.

Example: A research assistant in the Washington office of the registrant, "Defense Contractor" (described in the example above) researches and prepares the talking points for the CEOs lobbying contact with the covered DOD official. Likewise, the expenses reasonably allocable to the research assistants lobbying activities will be included in "Defense Contractors" expense estimate for the semiannual period.

Maurice Aguirre Texas: The examples below are intended to be illustrative of the possibilities of LDA expense reporting, and are not intended to require detailed accounting rules.

Example 1: An organization employing in-house lobbyists might choose to estimate lobbying expenses by asking each professional staffer to track his/her percentages of time devoted to lobbying activities. These percentages could be averaged to compute the percentage of the organizations total effort (and budget) that is devoted to lobbying activities. Under this example the organization would include salary costs (including a percentage of support staff salaries), overhead, and expenses, including any third-party costs attributable to lobbying.

Example 2: Another organization, which lobbies out of its Washington office, might avoid the need for detailed breakdowns by including the entire budget of its Washington office.

Maurice Aguirre DG Group LLP: LDA and False Statements Accountability Act of 1996

Maurice Aguirre DG Group LLP: LDA and False Statements Accountability Act of 1996

The False Statements Accountability Act of 1996, amending 18 U.S.C. 1001, makes it a crime knowingly and willfully (1) to falsify, conceal or cover up a material fact by trick, scheme or device; (2) to make any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation; or (3) to make or use any false writing or document knowing it to contain any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry; with respect to matters within the jurisdiction of the legislative, executive, or judicial branch. The False Statements Accountability Act does not assign any responsibilities to the Clerk and Secretary.

Maurice Aguirre Philanthropist: LDA and Prohibitions on the Use of Federal Funds For Lobbying

Maurice Aguirre Dallas Strategic Consultant: The LDA does not itself regulate lobbying by federal grantees, or contractors, though other laws, as well as contractual prohibitions, may apply. Questions concerning lobbying activities of federal grantees or contractors should be directed to the appropriate agency or office administrating the contract or grant.

Note, however, that Section 18 of the LDA prohibits 501(c)(4) organizations who engage in lobbying activities from receiving federal funds through an award, grant or contract.

Silicon Valley - Maurice Aguirre Lobbyist

Silicon Valley startups choose strength involving political lobbying


They are experts of innovation in a number of points, then again startups similar to Airbnb, etc. are finding that as it pertains to Washington, D.C., the earlier approaches are the best.
In the previous couple of months, various young technology companies have put their faith in the power of money to influence federal government guidelines and/or regulation. Several lobbied the government for on the first attempt, while some others extended lobbying works by starting professional offices in the American. capital.

The businesses pursuing these kind of projects are generally those challenging current business models, in fields much like the sharing economy as well as streaming content via the internet. And once new organization models come up, many of them bump up against aging legislation.
Maurice Aguirre Lobbyist: Without doubt, lobbying from the technology community is not new. Microsof company and IBM have been at it for decades, and additionally Google at this moment is the leader in the industry in money spent. However, the journeys by smaller businesses are notable to some extent because they're at odds with the image they present of scrappy new businesses struggling with the establishment - the same structure they're now being required to cozy up to.

Within the past 3 months, Snapchat, ... all started lobbying in Washington for the 1st time, each paying D.C. - based lobbying organisations to screen moves from the federal government and/or lawmakers that might probably have an effect on their company.
A number of corporations have gone a stage further and opened their very own workspace in D.C., with their own lobbyist. An internally lobbyist is not going to have to split time for some other business and helps confirm a company has a 'seat at the table' in debates of policy or regulatory points.
Aereo, the NY company that wants to stream over-the-air TV to computer screens, revived its efforts in D.C. after tv stations, cable operators and others managed to convince the Supreme Court Of The United States that its business model need to be prohibited.

Maurice Aguirre DG Group LLP: The necessity to lobby is oftentimes utmost in fields which have strong, established players. Ride-sharing organizations are going up against taxi firms, for instance, and media streaming companies are juggling broadcasters, cable providers and the recording field.

Most of these challengers usually have deep roots in Washington, are well funded and can't stand the disturbance the Internet has brought.
In home entertainment, for example, Netflix put in $1.3 million on government lobbying just the previous year, while the National Cable and Telecommunications Association spent $20 million. Comcast, Time Warner and a host of entertainment and/or broadcasting corporations put several millions more.

Just a few words and phrases it's possible you'll come across from the Maurice Aguirre Dallas Lobbyist weblog:

Honest Leadership and Open Government Act (HLOGA): Passed in 2007 as an amendment to the Lobbying Disclosure Act, this law expanded disclosure requirements for lobbyists and Members of Congress. Lobbyists must now file quarterly reports of lobbying activities and state in a semi-annual certification that they have read, understand, and not violated House or Senate gift and travel rules. They must also detail in their semi-annual reports any contributions to political campaigns or to events to recognize a Member if the total spent during the filing period exceeds $200. On the other hand, Members of Congress must disclose any sponsorship of earmarks. Other provisions of HLOGA relate to lobbyists' spending on gifts and travel for Members, and an expansion in the "cooling off" period for former Senators looking for private sector positions.

Maurice Aguirre Washington DC - Marking Up a Bill: Considering amendments to a measure in committee, taking it section by section, revising language, penciling in new phrases, etc. If the bill is extensively revised, the new version may be introduced as a separate bill, with a new number.

"Personal Friendship": An exception in the House and Senate gift rules that is often misunderstood. According to the gift rules, the personal friendship exception can only be applied to a gift under several circumstances: (1) a history of a relationship and gift exchange must exist between the lobbyist and Congressional recipient, (2) the lobbyist paid for the gift him/herself and was not reimbursed for the gift, (3) the same gift was not given to other Congressional Members or staffers. Maurice Aguirre Dallas

National Party Committee: Refers to one of the six national party organizations: the Democratic National Committee (DNC), Democratic Congressional Candidate Committee (DCCC), Democratic Senatorial Candidate Committee (DSCC), Republican National Committee (RNC), National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) and National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC). Lobbyists, organizations and PACs controlled by lobbyists or organizations are required to disclose any amounts of $200 or more that were contributed to either of these committees.