S. 865: Lobbying Disclosure Improvement Act

The Lobbying Disclosure Improvement Act aims to revise the existing Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995. The key focus of this bill is to enhance transparency regarding lobbying activities involving foreign entities. Here are the main changes proposed by the bill:

Transparency in Foreign Agent Registration

The bill proposes modifications to the disclosure requirements for entities that engage in lobbying. Specifically, it seeks to require organizations that register as lobbyists to clarify their status under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) of 1938. This act mandates that individuals and organizations representing foreign interests in the United States must disclose their activities and finances associated with that representation.

New Disclosure Requirement

• The bill would make it mandatory for lobbyists to provide a statement indicating whether they are exempt from registration under FARA.
• This addition aims to ensure that the public and relevant authorities are informed about whether a lobbyist is operating under an exemption that allows them to avoid the stricter registration mandates of FARA.

Impact of the Bill

By requiring this additional level of disclosure, the bill addresses concerns regarding foreign influence on domestic policymaking. The intent is to foster greater accountability in lobbying practices and to help ensure that foreign interests are not operating without appropriate oversight.

Legislative Process

As of March 5, 2025, the bill was introduced in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs for further consideration.

Relevant Companies

None found