As used in this chapter and except as excluded in this
chapter, "lobbyist" means a person who is employed and receives payment, or who
contracts for economic consideration, for the purpose of lobbying, or a person
who is principally employed for governmental affairs by another person or
governmental entity to lobby an agency on behalf of that other person or
governmental entity.
(1) An employee
of a principal is not a "lobbyist" unless the employee is principally employed
for governmental affairs. "Principally employed for governmental affairs" means
that one of the principal or most significant responsibilities of the employee
to the employer is overseeing the employer's various relationships with
government or representing the employer in its contacts with
government.
(2) One who is not an
employee of a principal is a "lobbyist" if he is retained as an independent
contractor or otherwise for payment or economic consideration by a person or
governmental entity to lobby an agency on behalf of that person or governmental
entity.
(3) If a corporation,
partnership, firm, or other business organization is retained for payment or
economic consideration to lobby an agency on behalf of another person or
governmental entity, only the members, partners, associates, or employees of
the organization who personally lobby in behalf of that person or governmental
entity are "lobbyists."
(4) A
person who lobbies an agency in behalf of himself or in behalf of a business
entity in which he has an ownership interest is not a "lobbyist" unless he
comes within one of the above descriptions.
(5) The terms "payment" or "economic
consideration" do not include receiving only reimbursement for actual travel,
lodging, and meal expenses.
