For the People Act of 2021 (H.R. 1; 117th Congress)/Division C/Title VII/Subtitle C

by John Sarbanes

SEC. 7201. EXPANDING SCOPE OF INDIVIDUALS AND ACTIVITIES SUBJECT TO REQUIREMENTS OF LOBBYING DISCLOSURE ACT OF 1995.

(a) Coverage Of Individuals Providing Counseling Services.—

(1) TREATMENT OF COUNSELING SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF LOBBYING CONTACTS AS LOBBYING ACTIVITY.—Section 3(7) of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1602(7)) is amended—

(A) by striking “efforts” and inserting “any efforts”; and

(B) by striking “research and other background work” and inserting the following: “counseling in support of such preparation and planning activities, research, and other background work”.

(2) TREATMENT OF LOBBYING CONTACT MADE WITH SUPPORT OF COUNSELING SERVICES AS LOBBYING CONTACT MADE BY INDIVIDUAL PROVIDING SERVICES.—Section 3(8) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 1602(8)) is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

“(C) TREATMENT OF PROVIDERS OF COUNSELING SERVICES.—Any individual, with authority to direct or substantially influence a lobbying contact or contacts made by another individual, and for financial or other compensation provides counseling services in support of preparation and planning activities which are treated as lobbying activities under paragraph (7) for that other individual’s lobbying contact or contacts and who has knowledge that the specific lobbying contact or contacts were made, shall be considered to have made the same lobbying contact at the same time and in the same manner to the covered executive branch official or covered legislative branch official involved.”.

(b) Reduction Of Percentage Exemption For Determination Of Threshold Of Lobbying Contacts Required For Individuals To Register As Lobbyists.—Section 3(10) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 1602(10)) is amended by striking “less than 20 percent” and inserting “less than 10 percent”.

(c) Effective Date.—The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to lobbying contacts made on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 7202. PROHIBITING RECEIPT OF COMPENSATION FOR LOBBYING ACTIVITIES ON BEHALF OF FOREIGN COUNTRIES VIOLATING HUMAN RIGHTS.

(a) Prohibition.—The Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 5 the following new section:

“SEC. 5A. PROHIBITING RECEIPT OF COMPENSATION FOR LOBBYING ACTIVITIES ON BEHALF OF FOREIGN COUNTRIES VIOLATING HUMAN RIGHTS.

“(a) Prohibition.—Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, no person may accept financial or other compensation for lobbying activity under this Act on behalf of a client who is a government which the President has determined is a government that engages in gross violations of human rights.

“(b) Clarification Of Treatment Of Diplomatic Or Consular Officers.—Nothing in this section may be construed to affect any activity of a duly accredited diplomatic or consular officer of a foreign government who is so recognized by the Department of State, while said officer is engaged in activities which are recognized by the Department of State as being within the scope of the functions of such officer.”.

(b) Effective Date.—The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to lobbying activity under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 which occurs pursuant to contracts entered into on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 7203. REQUIRING LOBBYISTS TO DISCLOSE STATUS AS LOBBYISTS UPON MAKING ANY LOBBYING CONTACTS.

(a) Mandatory Disclosure At Time Of Contact.—Section 14 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1609) is amended—

(1) by striking subsections (a) and (b) and inserting the following:

“(a) Requiring Identification At Time Of Lobbying Contact.—Any person or entity that makes a lobbying contact with a covered legislative branch official or a covered executive branch official shall, at the time of the lobbying contact—

“(1) indicate whether the person or entity is registered under this chapter and identify the client on whose behalf the lobbying contact is made; and

“(2) indicate whether such client is a foreign entity and identify any foreign entity required to be disclosed under section 4(b)(4) that has a direct interest in the outcome of the lobbying activity.”; and

(2) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (b).

(b) Effective Date.—The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to lobbying contacts made on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.