Federal Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) Compliance

The Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) of 1995 (as amended in 2007) requires certain organizations to register as lobbying entities with the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate and report quarterly on all lobbying activities and expenses. Based on the requirements outlined in the law, the University of Alaska (UA) system must comply with the registration and reporting obligations in the LDA.

The Office of Government Relations, Federal Relations team in the ��ϲʿ��appSystem Office is tasked with compliance with the LDA. Any LDA-related questions should be directed to John Latini (jalatini@alaska.edu), Executive Director of Federal Relations for the ��ϲʿ��appsystem.

Faculty & Staff LDA Reporting Obligations

ALL ��ϲʿ��appfaculty and staff that engage in lobbying in their official capacity as ��ϲʿ��appsystem employees should report lobbying activities and expenses. Faculty and staff that contact, urge, or lobby federal officials in their personal or professional capacity do not have to report these activities.

��ϲʿ��appfaculty and staff that engage in lobbying on behalf of any entity in the ��ϲʿ��appsystem should report their lobbying activities via email to John Latini (jalatini@alaska.edu), Executive Director of Federal Relations for the ��ϲʿ��appsystem. Reports should include the:

date(s) of lobbying;
length of meeting(s);
federal officials contacted including names and official titles;
subject matter(s) discussed;
any costs, including travel and ��ϲʿ��appemployees’ hourly salary rate, associated with lobbying effort; and
the other ��ϲʿ��apppersonnel in attendance.

��ϲʿ��appsystem employees are strongly encouraged to contact the Office of Government Relations, Federal Relations team before engaging in any lobbying activities.

Lobbying Activities & Other Definitions

Lobbying activities (including Lobbying Contacts) are defined as any oral, written, or electronic communication to a covered official regarding any aspect of federal legislation (including funding), rules, regulations, Executive Order, program, policy, confirmation, or position of the United States Government. This includes any preparation or planning activities, research, and other background work intended to support lobbying.

Covered officials are defined in two categories.

Covered Legislative Branch Officials include all of the following:

Members of Congress (House and Senate);
Congressional staff;
Congressional Committee staff;
Joint Congressional Committee staff;
Congressional working groups or Caucuses; and
Officers in the House and Senate (e.g. Clerk).

Covered Executive Branch Officials include any of the following:

President of the United States;
Vice President;
Employees of the Executive Office of the President;
Employees serving in a position in level I, II, III, IV, or V of the Executive Schedule;
Members of the uniformed services whose pay grade is at or above O-7; and
Employees serving in a position of a confidential, policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating character.

The includes the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), Climate Policy Office, Office of Management and Budget, Office of National Drug Control Policy, and National Space Council among others.

As a general rule, any federal official subject to Senate confirmation will be a covered executive branch official. Any questions on the classification of federal officials should be directed to John Latini (jalatini@alaska.edu), Executive Director of Federal Relations for the ��ϲʿ��appsystem.

Lobbying expenses include travel costs, employee salaries, office overhead, and payments to vendors (including professional societies and organizations if university funds are used to pay for membership).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

I requested a letter of support from an Alaska Member of Congress for my proposal that was submitted to a federal agency. Is this considered a lobbying activity?

Yes, essentially all activities that request a Member of Congress or Congressional staff to take any action are considered lobbying activities and should be reported to John Latini (jalatini@alaska.edu), Executive Director of Federal Relations for the ��ϲʿ��appsystem.

Additionally, faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to contact the Office of Government Relations, Federal Relations team to seek a Congressional letter of support for proposals submitted to federal agencies.

I have or am planning to ask my federal program manager for additional or supplemental funding. Is this considered a lobbying activity?

Generally speaking, no. Federal program managers are typically not considered covered officials.

I emailed staff in an Alaska Member of Congress’ office to request a meeting to discuss securing federal funding for my work. Is this considered a lobbying activity?

Yes, all aspects of this request need to be reported.

I saw an Alaska Member of Congress at an event and urged them to cosponsor a bill that would support my work. Is this considered a lobbying activity?

Yes, all aspects of this engagement need to be reported.

I traveled to Washington, DC, with my professional association (or society), and visited with Members of Congress to discuss the association’s legislative priorities. Do I need to report these engagements?

No, since you are not acting on behalf of the ��ϲʿ��appsystem, you do not need to report these engagements.

I attended a conference in Alaska, or Washington, DC. While I was at the conference I talked with an Alaska Member of Congress and/or their staff about the importance of my work including the need for federal investment. Do I need to report this engagement?

Most likely yes. You may not need to report the travel expenses related to attending the conference but you will need to report the topics discussed, provide your hourly rate, how long the engagement lasted, who you lobbied, and if other ��ϲʿ��apppersonnel participated.

I had students join me in a meeting with a covered official on behalf of our program, do I need to report their time as well?

No, in general LDA obligations do not apply to students.

I am not sure how to handle a potential federal issue or if I need to engage in lobbying. Who should I contact to have my questions answered?

John Latini (jalatini@alaska.edu), Executive Director of Federal Relations for the ��ϲʿ��appsystem.

Where can I find additional information about the LDA?

The U.S. House of Representatives’ Office of the Clerk maintains a Lobbying Disclosure , and the U.S. Senate's Office of Public Records maintains a public disclosure that includes LDA-related information.

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Federal Relations