Statements of Registration
A biennial Lobbyist Statement of Registration ('Registration') is a required filing under the Lobbying Act. It is generally a forward-looking document that captures the actual and anticipated lobbying activities, including State officials you expect to lobby, for a two-year (biennial) period. Registrations must be filed by a Lobbyist who is retained, employed, or designated to Lobby, and who meets or reasonably anticipates combined Reportable Compensation and Expenses more than $5,000 for Lobbying Activities on a State and/or Municipal Level, in any calendar year. They must be filed for every Client, regardless of the Compensation or Expenses paid by each Client.
What follows is the information to help you get ready to file a Registration. Keep an eye on this page for additional information, including step-by-step instructions on completing the Statement of Registration and Reportable Business Relationship ('RBR') form, instructional videos, and eblasts related to the launch of the Registration section of the LA.
For information related to the 2021-2022 biennial, refer to our new webpage here. Information can also be found below.
2021 Filing Due Dates
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2021-2022 Lobbying Filing Due Dates
2021 - 2022 Filing due dates for Lobbyists, Clients, and Public Corporations.
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Registration Filing Instructions
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2021-2022 Lobbyist and Public Corporation Registration Instructions
Instructions to file the 2021-2022 Lobbyist/Public Corporation Statement of Registration
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2021-2022 Coalition Filing Requirements
Beginning with the 2021 Biennial Registration Period, the Commission’s regulations have been amended to simplify and clarify how Lobbying Activity by Coalitions should be disclosed. The following guidance will assist a Coalition in determining whether it is required to file Lobbying Reports as a Coalition, or if, instead, its Members are required to disclose their Coalition Contributions in their own Lobbying Reports.
Revised 2/16/2021
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2019-2020 Lobbyist Statement of Registration and Registration Amendment Information
Information and instructions on what to report on a Statement of Registration or Registration Amendment. For instructions on using the new LA, refer to "How to File a Statement of Registration and RBR in LA". Revised 5/09/2019.
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How to Properly Disclose Lobbying Activities Information
Please reference this document PRIOR to disclosing Lobbying Activities in the Lobbyist Statement of Registration, Lobbyist/Public Corporation Bi-Monthly Report, Disbursement of Public Monies Bi-Monthly Report, and the Client Semi-Annual Report. Applicable for the 2019-2020 and 2021-2022 Biennial.
Revised 3/18/2021
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Lobbying Subjects for Registration, Bi-Monthly, and Client Semi-Annual Reports
This list provides options for Filers to report the subjects/issues they intend to be or are lobbying on at any given time. The list will be updated as new issues and topics arise.
Revised 4/10/2020
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Parties Lobbied for 2019_2020 Filings
This list provides information for Filers to about specific parties they are lobbying or intend to lobby with regard to the subjects/issues they intend to be or are lobbying on at any given time. The list provides information for both the State and local/municipal level. Revised 3/8/2019
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Lobbying Agreement Forms, Unexecuted Lobbying Agreement Forms, Sample Letters, and Coalition Questionnaire
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Lobbying Agreement Form - Employed Lobbyists
This form may be submitted with a Statement of Registration in lieu of a copy of a lobbying agreement or contract.
NEW for the 2021-2022 Biennial
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Lobbying Agreement Form - Retained Lobbyists
This form may be submitted with a Statement of Registration in lieu of a copy of a lobbying agreement or contract.
NEW for the 2021-2022 Biennial
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Unexecuted Lobbying Agreement Form
This form may be used by a Retained Lobbyist who is prepared to register with the Commission, but has not received the signed (executed) Lobbying Agreement back from your Client.
NEW for the 2021-2022 Biennial
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Sample Written Authorization Letter - Employed Lobbyists (2019)
Use this letter as a sample for authorization letters related to 2019 and later year filings. Revised 3/13/2019
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Sample Written Authorization Letter - Retained Lobbyists (2019)
Use this letter as a sample for authorization letters related to 2019 and later year filings. Revised 3/13/2019
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Sample Letter: Explanation Lapse for 2019-2020 Filings
This sample letter can be used if (1) the Lobbying Agreement was not executed by a Client within 15 days of the date on which the Lobbyist agreed to – or was authorized to – begin Lobbying Activity (the start date); or (2) there is a ‘gap in time’ from the expiration (end date) of a Lobbying Agreement already on file with JCOPE, and the start date of a ‘new’ extended agreement.
Only valid for Filings for the 2019-2020 Biennial Period.
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Agreement Authorization Change Sample Letter
This sample letter advises the Commission of a change in an agreement/authorization term.
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Coalition Questionnaire
This is for use by Coalitions to determine if any members of the Coalition exceed the $5,000 Compensation and Expenses threshold and would need to be listed as Beneficial Clients. Only applicable for the 2019-2020 Biennial.
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Terminations
The process of terminating in the new lobbying application is currently under review and is unavailable to the filer at this time. Therefore, in the event a filer needs to terminate before this feature becomes available or until further instruction is provided, please notify the Commission either by mail, to 540 Broadway, Albany NY 12207 or via email, to [email protected]. Notification of a termination must be submitted by an authorized person (CAO or DA) and must provide the information requested in these sample letters.
Please note - requirements for when a Termination notice needs to be sent have changed in the Comprehensive Lobbying Regulations. Please refer to the regulations, specifically Part 943.10, for more information.
This termination procedure is temporary and will likely change for future filings once the lobbying application begins processing terminations. Please contact Commission staff should you have any questions regarding compliance so that we can advise you on the best form of action.
Commission staff will notify you as soon as your termination has been processed.
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Sample Letter - Registration Termination
Use this letter as a sample letter for Registration Terminations related to 2019 and later year filings.
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Designation Sample Letter
This sample letter allows a chief administrative officer of an organization to designate another individual to make and sign statement(s) and/or report(s). A "Designation Letter" is not necessary for filers utilizing the online filing system.
Please Note - The chief administrative officer may designate another to sign and file the reports, but this designation does not relieve the chief administrative officer of liability due to a failure to file, late filing or false filing of any report(s).
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Sample Letter - Termination of Individual Lobbyist from Profile
Use this letter as a sample for letters for Individual Lobbyist Terminations from Profiles related to 2019 and later year filings.
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Sample Letter - Client Termination
Use this letter as a sample letter for Client Terminations related to 2019 and later year filings.
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Reportable Business Relationship Filing Instruction and Questionnaire
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Reportable Business Relationship Information
Information and instructions on what to report on a Reportable Business Relationship form. For instructions on using the new LA, refer to "How to File a Statement of Registration and RBR in LA".
Revised 12/14/2020
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Reportable Business Relationship Questionnaire
This is for use by a Lobbyist or Client Organization to send to its equity partners, officers, directors or High-Level Individuals, as applicable, to determine whether such persons have Reportable Business Relationships that must be disclosed by the Lobbyist or Client Organization.
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PDF Forms for 'Paper Filers'
Refer to the applicable how to file instructions PRIOR to completing the form.
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2021-2022 Lobbyist and Public Corporation Statement of Registration
Writable PDF for Paper Filers. Use this form to file and submit your 2021-2022 Lobbyist/Public Corporation Statement of Registration.
For the 2021-2022 Biennial
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2019-2020 Lobbyist and Public Corporation Statement of Registration
Writable PDF. Only applicable for the 2019-2020 Biennial. DO NOT use for 2021-2022 Biennial.
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Business Relationship Form - Entity
Use this form to disclose a Reportable Business Relationship with an Entity.
Revised 12/16/2020
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Business Relationship Form - State Person
Use this form to disclose a Reportable Business Relationship with a State Person.
Revised 12/16/2020
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Lobbying Application Instructions
Instructions for navigating the JCOPE Lobbying Application for online filers.
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How to Verify Your Email and Recertify Your Profile
For existing Filers. Required for the start of the 2021-2022 Biennial.
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Help-on-Demand Registration/RBR Videos
This video series includes instructions for users on how to file a Lobbyist or Public Corporation Statement of Registration, as well as how to file the Reportable Business Relationship portion of the Registration. For more information, refer to the written instructions relevant to your situation in the section above.
Filing a Lobbyist Statement of Registration in LA
Filing a Public Corporation Statement of Registration in LA
Filing a Reportable Business Relationship in LA
Contact Lobbying Filings Specialist
For technical assistance, or help with registrations, lobbyist bi-monthly reports, client semi-annual reports, and other lobbying-related disclosure forms, the Lobbying line is available from 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, by contacting the phone number or email address below.