House approves law creating register of lobbyists that expands coverage to executive and judicial branches

The Puerto Rico House of Representatives on March 25 approved Proyecto de la Cámara 42, a bill to create a public register of lobbyists and entities that conduct lobbying, and to extend registration requirements beyond the Legislature to the executive and judicial branches. The measure passed 53-0 on a final vote.

Sponsors and committee leaders described the bill as a transparency measure that requires entities and paid representatives who carry out lobbying to register with the Department of State, keep their records current and pay an annual registration charge. "Hoy... de la palabra a la acción," said Víctor Paredes, president of the House Government Commission, as he presented the committee's report. "Esta medida... dará herramientas, facultad para que cualquier cabildero que incumpla... deberá responder a la justicia." ("Today... from words to action. This measure... will give tools and authority so any lobbyist who fails to comply... must answer to the law.")

Why it matters: supporters said the registry fills a transparency gap by documenting who is paid to influence public decisions, what entities hire them, and which officials they meet. The…