Public Disclosure of Lobbying Act - Establishes, as an independent establishment of the executive branch, the Federal lobbying Disclosure Commission, composed of the Comptroller General and seven members appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Directs the Commission to avail itself of the assistance, including personnel and facilities, of the General Accounting Office and the Department of Justice.
Enumerates the powers of the Commission, including the power: (1) to require any person to submit in writing such reports and answers to questions as the Commission may prescribe; and (2) to initiate, prosecute, defend, or appeal any civil or criminal action in the name of the Commission for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this Act through its General Counsel.
Provides that it shall be the duty of the Commission to perform specified tasks, including: (1) to develop and furnish to lobbyists forms required to be filed under this Act; (2) to prepare a manual setting forth recommended uniform methods of bookkeeping and reporting; (3) to develop a filing, coding, and cross-indexing system consonant with the purpose of this Act; (4) to make specified documents filed with it available for public inspection and copying; (5) to preserve such reports and statements for a period of ten years; (6) to compile and summarize (in specified categories) information contained in notices and reports filed; (7) to make audits and field investigations with respect to statements and reports filed under the provisions of this Act; (8) to prepare a special study or report upon the request of any Member of the House of Representatives or the Senate from information in the records of the Commission; and (9) to presecibe suitable rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act.
Provides that each lobbyist shall, within 15 days after becoming a lobbyist, file a notice of representation with the Commission. Provides that the notice of representation shall be in such form and detail as the Commission shall prescribe and sets forth minimum elements to be contained in such notice.
Enumerates those persons required to maintain records of lobbying activities and sets forth the required form and content of reports to be made to the Commission containing such records.
Sets forth criminal penalties for violation of this Act.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to House Committee on Judiciary.
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