Sponsors (6)
The bill increases transparency and accountability by expanding who must register and narrowing a disclosure loophole, but it also raises compliance costs, administrative burdens, legal risks, and potential chilling effects on advocacy and advisory activity for small organizations and consultants.
Taxpayers and the public will get clearer, more comprehensive information about who is trying to influence federal officials because more individuals and entities must register as lobbyists, increasing transparency about influencers.
Public accountability is strengthened because the de minimis threshold for disclosure is lowered (20% → 10%), closing a loophole that previously allowed significant influence without registration.
Small businesses, consultants, strategists, and nonprofits will face higher compliance costs as more individuals may be required to register and report as lobbyists.
Broader definitions and expanded registration requirements could chill ordinary political or advocacy advising, creating legal uncertainty that discourages lawful advocacy by nonprofits and small organizations.
Increased disclosure and registration requirements will raise administrative burden for organizations, potentially diverting staff time and resources away from programmatic activities and services.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Broadens the lobbyist definition, treats paid advisers who direct or substantially influence lobbying contacts as lobbyists, and lowers the de minimis exemption from 20% to 10%.
Expands who counts as a lobbyist under the Lobbying Disclosure Act by broadening the definition of lobbying activity, treating paid advisors who direct or substantially influence a lobbying contact as making that contact themselves, and lowering the de minimis registration exemption from under 20% to under 10%. The changes apply to lobbying contacts made on or after enactment. The result is that more consultants, advisers, and firms that provide legislative, political, or strategic counseling may have to register and report as lobbyists. Organizations that hire outside advisors and the agencies that track lobbyist filings will face increased compliance and reporting requirements.
Introduced January 22, 2026 by Delia Ramirez · Last progress January 22, 2026