96-809 A
Received through the CRS Web
Lobbying Regulations on
Non-Profit Organizations
Jack H. Maskell
Legislative Attorney
American Law Division
September 27, 1996
Congressional Research Service · The Library of Congress
Lobbying Regulations on Non-Profit Organizations
SUMMARY
Charitable, religious or educational organizations which are exempt from federal
income taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. §
501(c)(3)), which have the privilege of receiving contributions from private parties that
are tax-deductible for the contributor, may not engage in lobbying activities which
constitute a "substantial part" of their activities if they wish to preserve this preferred tax-
exempt status. "Civic leagues or organizations not operated for profit but operated
exclusively for the promotion of social welfare ....", tax exempt under section 501(c)(4)
of the Internal Revenue Code, have no tax consequence for lobbying or advocacy
activities. (If a 501(c)(4) organization receives federal funds in the form of a "grant" or
loan, however, then there are further restrictions on its "lobbying activities", discussed
below.) Labor and agricultural organizations, tax-exempt under section 501(c)(5) of the
Internal Revenue Code, and business trade associations and chambers of commerce,
exempt from federal income taxation under section 501(c)(6), also have no specific
limitations upon their lobbying activities as a result of their tax-exempt status.
A provision of law enacted in 1995 as Section 18 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act,
commonly called the "Simpson Amendment", prohibits section 501(c)(4) civic leagues and
social welfare organizations from engaging in any "lobbying activities", even with their
own private funds, if the organization receives any federal grant, loan, or award. Because
of the definitions under the Lobbying Disclosure Act, however, the "Simpson
Amendment" limitations do not appear to apply to "grass roots" lobbying or public
advocacy, nor to lobbying State or local officials.
Similarly exempt are the acts of
testifying before a congressional committee, subcommittee, or task force, or of submitting
written testimony for inclusion in the public record, or responding to notices in the
Federal Register or the like soliciting communications from the public.
Federal contract or grant money may not be used for any lobbying, unless authorized
by Congress. Under current federal provisions, no organization, regardless of tax status,
may be reimbursed out of federal contract or grant money for any lobbying activities, or
for other advocacy or political activities, unless authorized by Congress. This applies to
direct or "grass roots" lobbying campaigns at the State, local or federal level (but exempts
the provision of technical and/or factual information related to the performance of a grant
or contract when in response to a documented request). The provision of law commonly
referred to as the "Byrd Amendment" also expressly prohibits federal grantees, contractors,
recipients of federal loans or cooperative agreements from using federal monies to "lobby"
with respect to the awarding or modification of such contracts, grants, loans, or
agreements.
Finally, organizations which meet the threshold expenditure and activity requirements
must register employees who are paid to lobby Congress or certain executive branch
officials, when those employees make direct lobbying contacts and engage in lobbying
over a certain percentage of their time. Registration and reporting are required under the
Regulation of Lobbying Act of 1995.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
SECTION 501(C)(4) CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
SECTION 501(C)(5) LABOR ORGANIZATIONS AND
501(C)(6) TRADE ASSOCIATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS WHICH RECEIVE FEDERAL
FUNDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3
501(c)(4) Organizations Receiving Grants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3
All Organizations Receiving Federal Grants or Contracts:
Restrictions on Use of Federal Funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5
LOBBYING DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL
ORGANIZATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6
ADDITIONAL READING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9
Lobbying Regulations on Non-Profit Organizations
This report is intended to provide a brief overview of the various potential
restrictions upon or regulation of the lobbying activities of non-profit organizations.
There are several overlapping laws, rules and regulations which may apply to non-
profit organizations that engage in lobbying activities. In some instances, the rules and
restrictions that apply may be determined by the section of the Internal Revenue Code
under which the organization holds its tax-exempt status. In other instances, certain rules
and regulations may apply depending on whether the organization receives federal grants,
or federal contracts. It should be noted that the definitions of the terms "lobbying" or
"advocacy" activities, and what those activities may encompass under the several
regulations or statutes, may vary among the different regulations and rules.
SECTION 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS
Organizations which are exempt from federal income taxation under section
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3)) are community chests,
funds, corporations or foundations "organized and operated exclusively for religious,
charitable, scientific, testing for public safety, literary, or educational purposes". These
charitable organizations, which have the privilege of receiving contributions from private
parties which are tax-deductible for the contributor under 26 U.S.C. § 170(a)), are limited
in the amount of lobbying in which they may engage if they wish to preserve this
preferred tax-exempt status from the federal government.1
A charitable organization exempt from federal taxation under § 501(c)(3) may not
engage in lobbying activities which constitute a "substantial part" of its activities. In
1976, a "safe harbor" was given to 501(c)(3) organizations where they could elect to come
within specific percentage limitations on expenditures to assure that no violations of the
"substantial part" test would incur, or could remain under the old, unspecified "substantial
part" test.2
The limitations upon organizational expenditures for covered lobbying
activities are 20% of the first $500,000 of total exempt purpose expenditures of the
organization, then 15% of the next $500,000 in exempt purposes expenditures, then 10%
of the next $500,000 in expenditures, and 5% of the organization’s expenditures over
$1,500,000.
In no event may a covered charitable organization spend more than
1 26 U.S.C. §§ 501(c)(3), 501(h), 4911, 6033; see IRS Regulations at 55 F.R. 35579-35620 (August 31, 1990), 26
C.F.R. Parts 1, 7, 20, 25, 53, 56, and 602.
2 Religious organizations are not permitted to make the election to come within the specific monetary
lobbying guidelines under 26 U.S.C. § 501(h), 26 U.S.C. § 501(h)(5).
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$1,000,000 on lobbying activities. There is a separate "grass roots" expenditure limit of
25% of the direct lobbying limits.3
The activities covered under the limitations on lobbying by charitable organizations
generally encompass direct or indirect "grass roots" lobbying, but exempt nonpartisan
analysis, study or research; advice or assistance given at the request of a governmental
body; "self-defense" communications before governmental bodies; contacts with the
organization’s bona fide members; and contacts unrelated to affecting legislation.
SECTION 501(C)(4) CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS
Organizations which are tax exempt under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue
Code are generally described as "[c]ivic leagues or organizations not operated for profit
but operated exclusively for the promotion of social welfare ...." If a civic league or
social welfare organization is tax exempt under § 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code,
there is generally no tax consequence for lobbying or advocacy activities. In fact, in
upholding the limitations on lobbying by 501(c)(3) charitable organizations against First
Amendment challenges, the Supreme Court noted that a 501(c)(3) organization could
establish a 501(c)(4) affiliate through which its First Amendment expression could be
exercised through unlimited lobbying and advocacy.4 If a 501(c)(4) organization receives
federal funds in the form of a "grant" or loan, however, then there are further restrictions
on its "lobbying activities", discussed below.
SECTION 501(C)(5) LABOR ORGANIZATIONS AND
501(C)(6) TRADE ASSOCIATIONS
Labor and agricultural organizations are tax-exempt under section 501(c)(5) of the
Internal Revenue Code, and business trade associations and chambers of commerce are
exempt from federal income taxation under section 501(c)(6). Neither labor or agricultural
organizations, nor business trade associations or chambers of commerce, have any specific
limitations upon their lobbying activities as a result of their tax-exempt status.5
3 See 26 U.S.C. § 4911. The Supreme Court has upheld such loss of special tax-exempt privilege for
"substantial" lobbying, noting that although lobbying is a protected First Amendment right, and although the
government may not indirectly punish an organization for exercising its constitutional rights by denying benefits
to those who exercise them, lobbying activities are not one of the contemplated "exempt functions" of these
charitable, educational organizations for which they have received the preferred tax status. Since contributions
to the organization by private individuals are eligible for a deduction from the donor’s federal income tax, the
Government is in effect subsidizing those private contributions to the organization, and the Court found that
Congress does not have to "subsidize" such lobbying activities of private organizations through preferred tax
status of receiving deductible contributions if it does not chose to do so, as long as other outlets for the
organization’s unlimited, protected First Amendment expression exist. Regan v. Taxation With Representation of
Washington, 461 U.S. 540, 544-546 (1983).
4 Regan v. Taxation With Representation of Washington, supra at 544-546 (Opinion of the Court), see also 552-
553 (Blackmun concurring).
5 Note, however, pass-through rules concerning reporting requirements and non-deductibility as business
expenses of dues paid to associations which lobby. Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, 26 U.S.C §
162(e)(3), 26 U.S.C. § 6033(e)(1). See discussion in Hopkins, The Law of Tax-Exempt Organizations, 6th Edition,
§ 29.5 (1995 Cumulative Supplement 125-131) (1992).
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NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS WHICH RECEIVE FEDERAL FUNDS
501(c)(4) Organizations Receiving Grants
Restrictions on "lobbying activities" by certain non-profit groups, as a condition to
receiving federal grants and loans, were enacted into law in 1995. Section 18 of the
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 19956 places statutory restrictions upon the lobbying
activities of non-profit civic and social welfare organizations which are tax-exempt under
section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. This provision, which is commonly
called the "Simpson Amendment", prohibits section 501(c)(4) civic leagues and social
welfare organizations from engaging in any "lobbying activities", even with their own
private funds, if the organization receives any federal grant, loan, or award. 2 U.S.C. §
1611.
The restrictions of the Simpson Amendment originally covered all 501(c)(4)
organizations which received federal monies by way of an "award, grant, contract, loan
or any other form".7 The term "contract", however, was subsequently removed from the
provision by P.L. 104-99, Section 129, leaving the prohibition on lobbying activities with
an organization’s own funds as a condition to the receipt of federal moneys only upon
501(c)(4) grantees and those seeking an award or loan, but allowing unlimited lobbying
activities with organizational funds for 501(c)(4) contractors of the federal government.
The Simpson Amendment now reads:
An organization described in section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 which engages in lobbying activities shall not be eligible for the
receipt of Federal funds constituting an award, grant, or loan.
The legislative history of the provision clearly indicates that a 501(c)(4) organization
may separately incorporate an affiliated 501(c)(4), which would not receive any federal
funds, and which could engage in unlimited lobbying.8
The method of separately
incorporating an affiliate to lobby, which was described by the amendment’s sponsor as
"splitting", was apparently intended to place a degree of separation between federal grant
money and private lobbying, while permitting an organization to have a voice through
which to exercise its protected First Amendment rights of speech, expression and
petition.9
As stated by Senator Simpson: "If they decided to split into two separate
501(c)(4)’s, they could have one organization which could both receive funds and lobby
without limits."10
6 P.L. 104-65, 109 Stat. 691, 703-704, as amended by P.L. 104-99, Section 129, 110 Stat. 34.
7 P.L. 104-65, Section 18, 109 Stat. 704. Emphasis added.
8 H.R. Rpt. No. 104-339, 104th Congress, 1st Session, at 24 (1995).
9 See comments by the sponsors of provision, Senator Simpson and Senator Craig, at 141 Congressional
Record S10547, S10556, July 24, 1995 (daily ed.).
10 141 Congressional Record, supra at S10555 (Senator Simpson).
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It may also be noted that while § 501(c)(4)’s which receive certain federal funds
may not engage in "lobbying activities", the term "lobbying activities" as used in the
"Simpson Amendment" prohibition in Section 18 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act is
defined in Section 3 of that legislation to include only direct "lobbying contacts and
efforts in support of such contacts" such as preparation, planning, research and other
background work intended for use in such direct contacts.11 A "lobbying contact" is an
"oral or written communication (including an electronic communication) to a covered
executive branch official or a covered legislative branch official" which concerns the
formulation, modification or adoption of legislation, rules, regulations, policies or
programs of the federal government.12
Organizations which use their own private
resources to engage only in "grass roots" lobbying and public advocacy (including
specifically any communication that is "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")13 would, therefore, not
appear to be engaging in any prohibited "lobbying activities" under this provision. The
Lobbying Disclosure Act’s definitions of "lobbying activities" and "lobbying contacts"
exclude, and do not independently apply to activities which consist only of "grass roots"
lobbying and public advocacy.14
Similarly, since the term "lobbying activities" relates only to the direct lobbying of
covered federal officials, the "Simpson Amendment" would not appear to limit in any way
an organization’s use of its own private resources to lobby State or local legislators or
other State of local governmental bodies or units. While direct lobbying of the Congress,
or of certain high level executive branch officials, is covered under the Lobbying
Disclosure Act as a "lobbying contact", and thus by definition a "lobbying activity", the
acts of testifying before a congressional committee, subcommittee, or task force, or of
submitting written testimony for inclusion in the public record of any such body, or of
responding to notices in the Federal Register or other such publication soliciting
communications from the public to an agency, are expressly exempt from the definition
of a "lobbying contact", and thus in themselves can not qualify as a "lobbying
activity."15
All Organizations Receiving Federal Grants or Contracts:
Restrictions on Use of Federal Funds
11 2 U.S.C. § 1602(7), P.L. 104-65, Section 3(7).
12 2 U.S.C. § 1602(8), P.L. 104-65, Section 3(8).
13 Note this express exception to the term "lobbying contact", at 2 U.S.C. § 1602(8)(B)(iii), P.L. 104-65, Section
3(8)(B)(iii).
14 Broader limitations on public advocacy and lobbying by organizations receiving federal grant money,
and on entities wishing to do business with federal grantees, which had passed the House as appropriations
riders (commonly known as the "Istook Amendment", e.g., H.R. 2127, 104th Congress, H.J. Res. 114, 104th
Congress), were not enacted into law in the 104th Congress.
15 See 2 U.S.C. 1602(8)(B), P.L. 104-65, Section 3(8)(B) for list of 18 express exceptions to the term "lobbying
contacts".
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Broad prohibitions on the use of federal monies for lobbying or political activities
have been in force for a number of years. Express restrictions on the use of grant funds
by non-profit organizations were adopted in 1984 as part of uniform cost principles for
non-profit organizations issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in OMB
Circular A-122, and are now incorporated into the Federal Acquisition Regulations.
Under current federal provisions, no contractor or grantee of the federal government,
regardless of tax status, may be reimbursed out of federal contract or grant money for
their lobbying activities, or for political activities, unless authorized by Congress.16
These restrictions generally apply to attempts to influence any federal or State legislation
through direct or "grass roots" lobbying campaigns, political campaign contributions or
expenditures, but exempt any activity authorized by Congress, or when providing technical
and/or factual information related to the performance of a grant or contract when in
response to a documented request.
In addition to these restrictions of general applicability on the use of federal contract
or grant money for lobbying activities, there may be specific statutory limitations and
prohibitions on particular federal moneys or on particular federal programs.17
Appropriation riders, for example, may also expressly limit the use of federal monies
appropriated in a particular appropriations law for lobbying, or "publicity or propaganda"
campaigns directed at Congress by private grant or contract recipients.18
Under the provisions of federal law commonly referred to as the "Byrd Amendment",
federal grantees, contractors, recipients of federal loans or those with cooperative
agreements with the federal government, are expressly prohibited by law from using
federal monies to "lobby" the Congress, federal agencies, or their employees, with respect
to the awarding of federal contracts, the making of any grants or loans, the entering into
cooperative agreements, or the extension, modification or renewal of these types of
awards. 31 U.S.C. § 1352(a). Federal contractors, grantees and those receiving federal
loans and cooperative agreements must also report lobbying expenditures from non-federal
sources which they used to obtain such federal program monies or contracts. 31 U.S.C.
§ 1352(b).
Agencies of the federal government which administer loans, grants and
cooperative agreements have issued common regulations implementing the "Byrd
Amendment."19 The restrictions of the "Byrd Amendment" apply to the making, with
an intent to influence, any communication to or appearances before Congress or an agency
16 See Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) 48 C.F.R. §§ 31.205-22; 31.701 et seq.; drafted to encompass the
principles set out in OMB Circular A-122, ¶B21, as added 49 F.R. 18276 (1984).
17 See, for example, 42 U.S.C. § 2996(f)(a)(5), re grantees and contractors of the Legal Services Corporation.
18 See, for example, Section 504(b) of the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education
and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 1995 (P.L. 103-333, 108 Stat. 2572); Section 503(b) of the Department
of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 1996 (in P.L.
104-134, 110 Stat. 1321-243). Note discussion of anti-lobbying appropriations provisions and grant funds in
General Accounting Office, Principles of Federal Appropriations Law, Second Edition, at 4-179 to 4-184 (July 1991).
It should be noted that the federal criminal statutory provision on lobbying with appropriated monies, 18 U.S.C.
§ 1913, applies only to federal officers and employees, and not to the private recipients of federal grants,
contracts or other federal disbursements. See Grassly v. Legal Services Corporation, 535 F. Supp. 818, 826, n.6 (S.D.
Iowa 1982).
19 Note 55 F.R. 6735-6756 (February 26, 1990).
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on a covered matter. Any "information specifically requested by an agency or Congress
is allowable at any time" (56 F.R. 6739), and certain other contacts are allowable
depending on the timing and nature of the communication with respect to a particular
solicitation for a federal grant, contract or agreement.
LOBBYING DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL ORGANIZATIONS
Organizations which engage in a certain amount of lobbying activities through
personnel compensated to lobby on the organization’s behalf, will be required to register
and to file disclosure reports under the new Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995.20 There
is no general exclusion or exception from the disclosure and registration requirements for
non-profit organizations who otherwise meet the threshold requirements on lobbying
contacts, except for churches and their integrated auxiliaries which are exempt from
reporting and disclosure.21
The Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 was intended to reach so-called "professional
lobbyists", that is, those who are compensated to engage in lobbying activities on behalf
of an employer or on behalf of a client.22
When registration is required for
organizations which lobby, such registration is done by the organization, however, rather
than by the individual employee/lobbyist. That is, the organization which has employees
who qualify as lobbyists for the organization (in-house lobbyists), must register and
identify its employee/lobbyists.
An organization will be required to register its employee/lobbyists when it meets two
general conditions. First, it must have one or more compensated employees who engage
in "lobbying", that is, who make more than one "lobbying contact", and who spend at
least 20% of their total time for that employer on "lobbying activities", over a six month
reporting period.23
A "lobbying contact" is an oral or written communication to a
covered official, including a Member of Congress, congressional staff, and certain senior
executive branch officials, with respect to the formulation, modification or adoption of a
federal law, rule, regulation or policy. The term "lobbying activities" is broader than
"lobbying contacts", and includes "lobbying contacts" as well as background activities and
other efforts in support of such lobbying contacts.
Secondly, for an organization to register its lobbyist/employees, the organization
must have spent, in total expenses for lobbying activities, $20,000 or more in a six-month
20 P.L. 104-65, December 19, 1995, 109 Stat. 691. In 1995 Congress completely rewrote the 50-year old law
(the Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act of 1946) which had required certain registrations and disclosures of
lobbying activities directed at Members of Congress. Beginning in 1996, the new Lobbying Disclosure Act of
1995 will provide more specific thresholds, and clearer and broader definitions of "lobbyist" and "lobbying
activities", which will trigger the requirements for the registration and reporting of persons who are
compensated to engage in lobbying activities.
21 See exemptions from definition of covered "lobbying contact", 2 U.S.C. § 1602(8)(B)(xviii), for churches
and religious orders that are exempt from filing federal income tax returns under 26 U.S.C. § 6033(a)(2)(A).
22 See H.R. Rpt. 104-339, 104th Cong., 1st Sess., "Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995", at 2 (1995).
23 2 U.S.C. § 1602(10).
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reporting period.24
The $20,000 amount will include any money paid to an outside
lobbyist to lobby on the organization’s behalf during the reporting period.25
Under the Act a "lobbyist" needs to be registered within 45 days after first making
a lobbying contact or being employed to make such a contact. Registration will be on
identical forms filed with the Secretary of the Senate and Clerk of the House.
The
information on the registrations will generally include identification of the lobbyist, the
employer or the client, and any organizations other than the client that contribute more
than $10,000 for the lobbying activities in six months and plays a major role in
supervising or controlling the lobbying activities; an identification of any foreign entity
that owns 20% of the client, controls the activities of the client or is an interested affiliate
of the client; a list of the issues in which the lobbyist is interested, and those on which
he or she has already lobbied for the client or employer. In addition to the registration
of lobbyists, semi-annual reports, covering January 1 - June 30, and July 1 - December
31, are required to be filed.
These reports will identify the lobbyist, clients and
employers, and issues upon which one lobbied, and the reports are to provide a good faith
estimate of lobbying costs, rounded to the nearest $20,000 (if expenses exceed $10,000).
Certain public charities will have the option of using the Internal Revenue Code
definitions of "influencing legislation" rather than the Lobbying Disclosure Act definitions
of "lobbying activities" to determine the organization’s reporting obligations.26
This
option was provided so that such organizations would only need to have one set of
internal record controls and standards dealing with "influencing legislation", under both
the tax code and the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995.27
Since the definition of
"influencing legislation" under the Tax Code and the definition of "lobbying activities"
under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 are different, an eligible organization may
need to decide which definition is more advantageous to use from a tax standpoint, and
for record keeping considerations, in relation to the type of public policy activities,
lobbying and advocacy in which it generally engages.28
In addition to covering only those who are hired or retained to lobby, the provisions
of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 cover as a threshold only activities which may
be described as "direct" lobbying, that is, direct communications or contacts with covered
officials.
The registration and disclosure requirements of the law are not separately
triggered by "grass roots" lobbying by persons or organizations. That is, an organization
or entity which engages only in grass roots, indirect lobbying, regardless of the amount
of "grass roots" lobbying activities, will not be required to register its members, officers
or employees who engage in such activities. Expressly excluded from the definition of
24 2 U.S.C. § 1603(a)(3).
25 An outside lobbyist needs to register for a particular client if its total income from that client for lobbying
related matters exceeds $5,000 in a six month filing period.
26 2 U.S.C. § 1610.
27 H. R. Rpt. No. 104-339, supra at 23.
28 For detailed discussions of several considerations and factors, see Richard L. Winston, "The Lobbying
Disclosure Act of 1995 and the Tax Code Elections", Tax Notes, 1391-1399 (June 3, 1996); Robert A. Boisture, for
Independent Sector, "What Charities Need to Know To Comply With the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995", in
Complying With the Lobbying Disclosure Act of ’95 and the New Gift Act Restrictions 185-208 (Glasser Legal Works,
1996).
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a "lobbying contact" is any communication "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".29 Once qualified or covered
as a lobbyist, however, grass roots lobbying efforts and other background activities which
support direct "lobbying contacts" may have to be disclosed as "lobbying activities".
The Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 also exempts from the definition of "lobbying
contacts" the activities of lobbying State or local legislators or other
State or local
governmental bodies or units. While direct lobbying of the Congress, or of certain high
level executive branch officials in the federal government, is covered under the Lobbying
Disclosure Act as a "lobbying contact", the acts of testifying before a congressional
committee, subcommittee, or task force, or of submitting written testimony for inclusion
in the public record of any such body or for any public proceeding, or of responding to
notices in the Federal Register or other such publication soliciting communications from
the public to an agency, are expressly exempt from the definition of a "lobbying contact",
and thus in themselves can not qualify as a "lobbying activity." Similarly, any information
provided in response to an oral or a written request from a covered executive or
legislative branch official is not a "lobbying contact" under the Act.30
ADDITIONAL READING
Robert A. Boisture, for Independent Sector, "What Charities Need to Know To
Comply With the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995", in Complying With the Lobbying
Disclosure Act of ’95 and the New Gift Act Restrictions 185-208 (Glasser Legal Works
1996).
Comment, "Guiding Lobbying Charities Into A Safe Harbor: Final Section 501(h)
and 4911 Regulations Set Limits for Tax-Exempt Organizations", 61 Miss. L.J. 157
(Spring 1991).
Bruce R. Hopkins, The Law of Tax-Exempt Organizations, Sixth Edition (1992)(1995
Cumulative Supplement).
Bruce R. Hopkins, Charity, Advocacy and the Law (1992).
Richard L. Winston, "The Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 and the Tax Code
Elections", Tax Notes, 1391-1399 (June 3, 1996)
U.S. House of Representatives. House Committee on the Judiciary. H. R. Rpt. No.
104-339, 104th Congress, 1st Session, "Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995", (1995).
U.S. Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service. Marie B. Morris and
Felicia Kolp, "Frequently Asked Questions About Tax-Exempt Organizations", CRS Rpt.
No. 96-264A, March 15, 1996.
29 2 U.S.C. § 1602((8)(B)(iii).
30 See 2 U.S.C. 1602(8)(B), P.L. 104-65, Section 3(8)(B) for list of 18 express exceptions to the term "lobbying
contacts".
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U.S. Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service. Jack Maskell, "Legal and
Congressional Ethics Standards of Relevance to Those Who Lobby Congress", CRS Rpt.
No. 96-210A, March 5, 1996.