Organizations registered under the Lobbying Disclosure Act and their lobbyists must disclose their political and similar contributions, and must certify adherence to the new congressional gift and travel rules. The new reporting requirements were enacted as part of Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007. The Clerk of the House and the Secretary of the Senate issued updated guidance for disclosure reports in December 2009.

Who Must File

• Any organization registered under the Lobbying Disclosure Act and
• Individuals listed as lobbyists during any part of the six months reporting period, must file the semiannual report.

Lobbyist ID and Password
Each listed lobbyist needs his or her own ID and password in order to file the LD-203. The web form for obtaining these IDs and passwords is now available. Check the Clerk of the House and Secretary of the Senate websites for updates. The Senate website also provides a tutorial on the LD-203.

Contributions
The new report requires disclosure of dates, amount of contributions and recipients for the following types of contributions:

• Political contributions totaling $200 or more to a federal candidate or party within the six-month period;
• Contributions for events to honor or recognize legislative or executive officials; for entities named for or established, financed, maintained or controlled by such officials; for entities designated by such officials; or meetings or retreats held by or in the name of such officials; and
• Contributions of over $200 to a presidential library or presidential inaugural committee.

Certification
In addition to reporting contributions, registered organizations and their lobbyists must also certify on the LD-203 that they have read and understand the gift and travel rules of the House and the Senate, and that they have not knowingly violated those rules.

Additional Resources

• Guidance (PDF) on both the quarterly lobbying reports and the LD-203 contributions report
• IS compliance tips on the LD-203
• House and Senate Gift and Travel Rules (PPT)