The Michigan Lobby Registration Act, Public Act 472 of 1978, was enacted in order to provide public disclosure of the activities of persons who attempt to influence the actions of state level public officials.  Public officials are those state level elected or appointed public officials who are designated as "lobbyable" under the Act.   Under Section 6(1) of the Act, a "person" is defined as "a business, individual, proprietorship, firm, joint venture, syndicate, business trust, labor organization, company, corporation, association, committee, or any other organization or group of persons acting jointly, including a state agency or a political subdivision of the state."  The Lobby Act does not function as a licensing requirement for persons who intend to lobby public officials.  The Lobby Act does require persons, who make expenditures or receive compensation or reimbursement for lobbying activities in excess of thresholds specified under the Act, to register and report as lobbyists or lobbyist agents with the Michigan Department of State, Bureau of Elections.  The thresholds are effective from January 1, through December 31 of each calendar year and are adjusted annually to reflect changes in the Detroit Consumer Price Index.  For the specific thresholds in effect for the current calendar year, please refer to the current Michigan Lobby Registration Act Reporting Thresholds information sheet or the Department's Web site.

Lobbyable Public Officials - Lobbyable Public officials are those state level, elected or appointed public officials, who are designated as "lobbyable" under the Act in Section 5 (9) for officials in the executive branch of state government and 5(10) for officials in the legislative branch of state government.   Essentially, an official is considered lobbyable if the official is empowered take legislative or administrative action through the use of their own personal discretion.  This listing includes, the Governor, chief officers of the various executive departments, members of certain state level boards and commissions, members of the legislature and the presidents of public universities.  Executive departments periodically provide updates to this listing with the Secretary of State.  The Department maintains a list of lobbyable public officials which is available at the Secretary of State, Bureau of Elections Web site along with the current Lobby thresholds which are updated each calendar year.

Lobbying is defined as any direct contact with a lobbyable public official, whether face to face, by telephone, letter, electronic media, or any other means, the purpose of which is to influence the official's legislative or administrative actions. 

Lobbyist - A person (typically a corporation, association, government agency or some other type of organization of some type) that makes expenditures in excess of the current threshold to lobby a number of public officials, or in excess of the lower current threshold to lobby a single public official, during any 12 month period.  A person meeting the definition of a lobbyist must register with the Department within 15 calendar days after exceeding the expenditure thresholds.

Lobbyist Agent - A person (an individual or firm) that receives compensation or reimbursement in excess of the current threshold for lobbying on behalf of employers or clients during any 12 month period.  A person meeting the definition of a lobbyist agent must register with the Department within 3 calendar days after exceeding the threshold.

When Registration is Required - A person becomes a lobbyist or lobbyist agent immediately upon entering into any type of agreement to exceed the expenditure, compensation or reimbursement thresholds during any 12 month period.  State agencies, or subdivisions of state government such as cities, counties, townships, public universities, colleges or school districts, become lobbyists immediately upon contracting with a lobbyist agent regardless of the amount spent.  Each registrant is required to submit a Financial Report detailing any lobbying activities and expenditures, or lack of activity, on August 31 and January 31 each year.  Registrants must request to terminate their registration (Item 5d on a Financial Report) in order to end these filing requirements.  Late filing fees are assessed if a document required under the Act is received after a filing deadline.

Lobbyist - A person meeting the definition of a lobbyist must register with the Department within 15 calendar days after exceeding the expenditure thresholds.

Lobbyist Agent - A person meeting the definition of a lobbyist agent must register with the Department within 3 calendar days after exceeding the threshold.

Financial Reports - A Financial Report Summary must be filed twice each year by all Lobbyists and Lobbyist Agents even if a registrant has no activities or expenditures to disclose for the reporting period.  A required registration or report that is sent by certified or registered mail at least two calendar days before a filing deadline will be considered timely regardless of the date of receipt.  Additional information, registration and reporting forms are available at: www.michigan.gov/sos.

 Report                            Filing Deadline                     Coverage Dates

Summer Report            August 31                   January 1 - July 31

Winter Report              January 31                   August 1 - December 31

Contact us at:

Michigan Department of State

Bureau of Elections

P.O. Box 20126

Lansing, Michigan 48901-0726

Phone: (517) 373-2540

Fax: (517) 241-4785

Visit us at:

430 West Allegan Street

1^st  Floor Richard H. Austin Bldg

Lansing, Michigan 48918

www.michigan.gov/sos

Michigan Lobby Registration Act-PA 472 of 1978

(Revised 3/2/05)