Ethics board flags widespread lobbyist reporting gaps, asks clerk for samples and schedules follow‑up

Board members on Aug. 25 raised concerns about widespread noncompliance with Metro’s lobbyist‑registration and reporting requirements and agreed to request a sampling of actual lobbyist filings from the metro clerk’s office before a scheduled follow‑up meeting.

Clerk’s numbers: the metro clerk reported that, so far in 2023, 90 lobbyists were registered representing 135 clients (compared with last year’s totals of 98 lobbyists and 148 clients). Board members noted a pattern in which some lobbyists failed to file the required retrospective annual reports (or pay late fees) and then clients later register different lobbyists — creating reporting gaps.

Enforcement and options discussed: board members and staff reviewed the code’s enforcement section and noted the board’s enforcement generally is complaint‑driven. The chair and members discussed options used by other bodies (for example, show‑cause hearings with daily fines) and noted the code already permits remedies such as recommending suspension of a lobbyist’s registration for up to two years, censure, referral to the district attorney or civil action by the director of law, and directing the clerk to issue citations.

Next steps: the board asked the clerk to provide a sampling of lobbyist reports (a short sample to show what is actually filed and whether many filings are zeroed‑out), asked the chair to draft a letter to the vice mayor articulating the board’s concerns, and scheduled a follow‑up meeting for Sept. 28, 2023, at 9:00 AM to review the samples, finalize the letter and consider any formal recommendations to the council. The clerk will send samples to board members in advance.

Representative quote: the chair said the board needs to know “what lobbyists are asked to do, what clients of lobbyists are asked to do, and so forth” so that the board can make informed recommendations to the vice mayor and council.