Vermont Secretary of State

Lobbying FAQs

Lobbyist Registration & Disclosure

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

THIS IS A WORLD WIDE WEB PUBLICATION OF THE VERMONT SECRETARY OF STATE
(If you are reading a paper version of this document, you may find the original at www.sec.state.vt.us)
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INTRODUCTION

     Vermont laws require registration and financial disclosure by those who lobby and by those who employ lobbyists. A quick guide to our discussion of these laws is set out below.

     These laws underwent major revision in 1993, and a tax on lobbying was instituted by the Legislature in 1997. What follows is a review of some of the questions that arose after the 1993 amendments, and a discussion of new questions that have surfaced regarding the tax.

     The basic law, found in 2 V.S.A. §§ 261-268, as extensively revised in 1993, withstood a Vermont Supreme Court test. We will update this Web site periodically to keep current with new developments.

     I would appreciate your comments on this Web document's strengths, weaknesses or omissions.

 

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CONTENTS:

• Introduction
  
• What Constitutes Lobbying?
  
• Who Must Register?
  
• Who Is Exempt From Having To Register?
  
• Who Must Pay the Lobbying Tax?
  
• Who Gets Lobbied?
  
• What Goals Define a Lobbying Effort?
  
• What Qualifies as an Expenditure and When Must It Be Reported?
  
• What Qualifies as a Gift?
  
• What Activities Are Prohibited?
  
• What Are the Penalties for Failing To Comply With the Law?

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