Definitions

As used in this chapter: The term “agency” has the meaning given that term in section 551(1) of title 5. The term “client” means any person or entity that employs or retains another person for financial or other compensation to conduct lobbying activities on behalf of that person or entity. A person or entity whose employees act as lobbyists on its own behalf is both a client and an employer of such employees. In the case of a coalition or association that employs or retains other persons to conduct lobbying activities, the client is the coalition or association and not its individual members. The term “covered executive branch official” means— The term “covered legislative branch official” means— any employee of, or any other individual functioning in the capacity of an employee of— The term “employee” means any individual who is an officer, employee, partner, director, or proprietor of a person or entity, but does not include— The term “foreign entity” means a foreign principal (as defined in section 1(b) of the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 (22 U.S.C. 611(b)). The term “lobbying activities” means lobbying contacts and efforts in support of such contacts, including preparation and planning activities, research and other background work that is intended, at the time it is performed, for use in contacts, and coordination with the lobbying activities of others. The term “lobbying contact” means any oral or written communication (including an electronic communication) to a covered executive branch official or a covered legislative branch official that is made on behalf of a client with regard to— The term “lobbying contact” does not include a communication that is— made to an official in an agency with regard to— made on behalf of an individual with regard to that individual’s benefits, employment, or other personal matters involving only that individual, except that this clause does not apply to any communication with— made by— between— The term “lobbying firm” means a person or entity that has 1 or more employees who are lobbyists on behalf of a client other than that person or entity. The term also includes a self-employed individual who is a lobbyist. The term “lobbyist” means any individual who is employed or retained by a client for financial or other compensation for services that include more than one lobbying contact, other than an individual whose lobbying activities constitute less than 20 percent of the time engaged in the services provided by such individual to that client over a 3-month period. The term “media organization” means a person or entity engaged in disseminating information to the general public through a newspaper, magazine, other publication, radio, television, cable television, or other medium of mass communication. The term “Member of Congress” means a Senator or a Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress. The term “organization” means a person or entity other than an individual. The term “person or entity” means any individual, corporation, company, foundation, association, labor organization, firm, partnership, society, joint stock company, group of organizations, or State or local government. The term “public official” means any elected official, appointed official, or employee of— a Federal, State, or local unit of government in the United States other than— The term “State” means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, and any commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States.