Public Disclosure of Lobbying Act

(Measure passed House, amended, roll call #257 (250-140))

Public Disclosure of Lobbying Act - Requires organizations which expend more than $2,500 per quarter year or which employ at least one individual who spends all or part of each 13 days or more per quarter year for lobbying purposes to register with the Comptroller General and to update such registration annually. Requires the identification of any such person retained for such lobbying purposes. Requires such organization to file quarterly reports concerning such lobbying activities including: (1) listing of total lobbying expenditures including each expenditure over $35 made to or for the benefit of any Federal officer, congressional employee, or Member of Congress; (2) the identification of retainees of an organization or certain employees making lobbying communications and the disclosure of certain expenditures; (3) a description of the issues for which such an organization has lobbied; (4) known business contacts with the person whom such organization is attempting to influence; and (5) a statement of any specific lobbying activity made on the floor of a House or adjoining rooms. Requires the Comptroller General to make copies of each registration and report required by this Act available for public inspection and copying. Requires the Comptroller General to refer to the Attorney General all apparent violations of this Act.

Makes it the duty of the Attorney General to investigate alleged violations of any provision of this Act or regulations promulgated thereto.

Requires the Attorney General to attempt to correct any violation by informal methods of conference or conciliation.

Authorizes the Attorney General to institute civil or criminal actions in appropriate circumstances. Grants to the United States district courts jurisdiction for actions brought under this Act.

Directs the Comptroller General to transmit reports to the President and each House of the Congress no later than March 31 of each year concerning activities under this Act.

Provides a Congressional veto of rules and regulations promulgated by the Comptroller General pursuant to this Act.

Makes any person or organization who knowingly fails to comply with the registration, reporting, and recordkeeping requirements of this Act, or regulations promulgated thereto, subject to a civil penalty of not more than $10,000 for each such violation.

Provides criminal penalties of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than two years, for knowing and willful violations of this Act, and for knowingly and willfully making misstatements or omitting material facts.

Repeals the Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act and a specified portion of the Legislative Reorganization Act.

Authorizes to be appropriated $1,600,000 for each of the fiscal years 1979-1981.