---
kind: "section"
citation: "2 U.S.C. § 1604"
title: "2"
title_heading: "The Congress"
number: "1604"
heading: "Reports by registered lobbyists"
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/2/1604"
units:
  - "Chapter 26 — Disclosure of Lobbying Activities"
---

# §1604. Reports by registered lobbyists

- (a) **Quarterly report—** No later than 20 days after the end of the quarterly period beginning on the first day of January, April, July, and October of each year in which a registrant is registered under [section 1603 of this title](/usc/2/1603.md), or on the first business day after such 20th day if the 20th day is not a business day, each registrant shall file a report with the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives on its [lobbying activities](/usc/2/1602.md?p=7) during such quarterly period. A separate report shall be filed for each [client](/usc/2/1602.md?p=2) of the registrant.
- (b) **Contents of report—** Each quarterly report filed under [subsection (a)](#a) shall contain—
  - (1) the name of the registrant, the name of the [client](/usc/2/1602.md?p=2), and any changes or updates to the information provided in the initial registration, including information under [section 1603(b)(3) of this title](/usc/2/1603.md?p=b-3);
  - (2) for each general issue area in which the registrant engaged in [lobbying activities](/usc/2/1602.md?p=7) on behalf of the [client](/usc/2/1602.md?p=2) during the quarterly period—
    - (A) a list of the specific issues upon which a [lobbyist](/usc/2/1602.md?p=10) employed by the registrant engaged in [lobbying activities](/usc/2/1602.md?p=7), including, to the maximum extent practicable, a list of bill numbers and references to specific executive branch actions;
    - (B) a statement of the Houses of Congress and the Federal [agencies](/usc/2/1602.md?p=1) contacted by [lobbyists](/usc/2/1602.md?p=10) employed by the registrant on behalf of the [client](/usc/2/1602.md?p=2);
    - (C) a list of the [employees](/usc/2/1602.md?p=5) of the registrant who acted as [lobbyists](/usc/2/1602.md?p=10) on behalf of the [client](/usc/2/1602.md?p=2); and
    - (D) a description of the interest, if any, of any [foreign entity](/usc/2/1602.md?p=6) identified under [section 1603(b)(4) of this title](/usc/2/1603.md?p=b-4) in the specific issues listed under [subparagraph (A)](#b-2-A);
  - (3) in the case of a [lobbying firm](/usc/2/1602.md?p=9), a good faith estimate of the total amount of all income from the [client](/usc/2/1602.md?p=2) (including any payments to the registrant by any other person for [lobbying activities](/usc/2/1602.md?p=7) on behalf of the [client](/usc/2/1602.md?p=2)) during the quarterly period, other than income for matters that are unrelated to [lobbying activities](/usc/2/1602.md?p=7);
  - (4) in the case of a registrant engaged in [lobbying activities](/usc/2/1602.md?p=7) on its own behalf, a good faith estimate of the total expenses that the registrant and its [employees](/usc/2/1602.md?p=5) incurred in connection with [lobbying activities](/usc/2/1602.md?p=7) during the quarterly period;
  - (5) for each [client](/usc/2/1602.md?p=2), immediately after listing the [client](/usc/2/1602.md?p=2), an identification of whether the [client](/usc/2/1602.md?p=2) is a [State](/usc/2/1602.md?p=16) or local government or a department, [agency](/usc/2/1602.md?p=1), special purpose district, or other instrumentality controlled by one or more [State](/usc/2/1602.md?p=16) or local governments; and
  - (6) for any listed [lobbyist](/usc/2/1602.md?p=10) who was convicted in a Federal or [State](/usc/2/1602.md?p=16) court of an offense involving bribery, extortion, embezzlement, an illegal kickback, tax evasion, fraud, a conflict of interest, making a false statement, perjury, or money laundering, the date of the conviction and a description of the offense.
- (c) **Estimates of income or expenses—** For purposes of this section, estimates of income or expenses shall be made as follows:
  - (1) Estimates of amounts in excess of $5,000 shall be rounded to the nearest $10,000.
  - (2) In the event income or expenses do not exceed $5,000, the registrant shall include a statement that income or expenses totaled less than $5,000 for the reporting period.
- (d) **Semiannual reports on certain contributions—**
  - (1) **In general—** Not later than 30 days after the end of the semiannual period beginning on the first day of January and July of each year, or on the first business day after such 30th day if the 30th day is not a business day, each person or [organization](/usc/2/1602.md?p=13) who is registered or is required to register under paragraph (1) or (2) of [section 1603(a) of this title](/usc/2/1603.md?p=a), and each [employee](/usc/2/1602.md?p=5) who is or is required to be listed as a [lobbyist](/usc/2/1602.md?p=10) under [section 1603(b)(6) of this title](/usc/2/1603.md?p=b-6) or [subsection (b)(2)(C)](#b-2-C) of this section, shall file a report with the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives containing—
    - (A) the name of the person or [organization](/usc/2/1602.md?p=13);
    - (B) in the case of an [employee](/usc/2/1602.md?p=5), his or her employer;
    - (C) the names of all political committees established or controlled by the person or [organization](/usc/2/1602.md?p=13);
    - (D) the name of each Federal candidate or officeholder, leadership PAC, or political party committee, to whom aggregate contributions equal to or exceeding $200 were made by the person or [organization](/usc/2/1602.md?p=13), or a political committee established or controlled by the person or [organization](/usc/2/1602.md?p=13) within the semiannual period, and the date and amount of each such contribution made within the semiannual period;
    - (E) the date, recipient, and amount of funds contributed or disbursed during the semiannual period by the person or [organization](/usc/2/1602.md?p=13) or a political committee established or controlled by the person or [organization](/usc/2/1602.md?p=13)—
      - (i) to pay the cost of an event to honor or recognize a [covered legislative branch official](/usc/2/1602.md?p=4) or [covered executive branch official](/usc/2/1602.md?p=3);
      - (ii) to an entity that is named for a [covered legislative branch official](/usc/2/1602.md?p=4), or to a [person or entity](/usc/2/1602.md?p=14) in recognition of such official;
      - (iii) to an entity established, financed, maintained, or controlled by a [covered legislative branch official](/usc/2/1602.md?p=4) or [covered executive branch official](/usc/2/1602.md?p=3), or an entity designated by such official; or
      - (iv) to pay the costs of a meeting, retreat, conference, or other similar event held by, or in the name of, 1 or more [covered legislative branch officials](/usc/2/1602.md?p=4) or [covered executive branch officials](/usc/2/1602.md?p=3),

      except that this subparagraph shall not apply if the funds are provided to a person who is required to report the receipt of the funds under [section 30104 of title 52](/usc/52/30104.md);

    - (F) the name of each Presidential library foundation, and each Presidential inaugural committee, to whom contributions equal to or exceeding $200 were made by the person or [organization](/usc/2/1602.md?p=13), or a political committee established or controlled by the person or [organization](/usc/2/1602.md?p=13), within the semiannual period, and the date and amount of each such contribution within the semiannual period; and
    - (G) a certification by the person or [organization](/usc/2/1602.md?p=13) filing the report that the person or [organization](/usc/2/1602.md?p=13)—
      - (i) has read and is familiar with those provisions of the Standing Rules of the Senate and the Rules of the House of Representatives relating to the provision of gifts and travel; and
      - (ii) has not provided, requested, or directed a gift, including travel, to a [Member of Congress](/usc/2/1602.md?p=12) or an officer or [employee](/usc/2/1602.md?p=5) of either House of Congress with knowledge that receipt of the gift would violate rule XXXV of the Standing Rules of the Senate or rule XXV of the Rules of the House of Representatives.
  - (2) **Definition—** In this subsection, the term “leadership PAC” has the meaning given such term in [section 30104(i)(8)(B) of title 52](/usc/52/30104.md?p=i-8-B).
- (e) **Electronic filing required—** A report required to be filed under this section shall be filed in electronic form, in addition to any other form that the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the House of Representatives may require or allow. The Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives shall use the same electronic software for receipt and recording of filings under this chapter.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 104–65, § 5, Dec. 19, 1995, 109 Stat. 697; Pub. L. 105–166, § 4(c), Apr. 6, 1998, 112 Stat. 39; Pub. L. 110–81, title II, §§ 201(a), (b)(6), 202, 203(a), 205, 207(a)(2), Sept. 14, 2007, 121 Stat. 741, 742, 746, 747; Pub. L. 115–418, § 2(b), Jan. 3, 2019, 132 Stat. 5440.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

This chapter, referred to in subsec. (e), was in the original “this Act” meaning Pub. L. 104–65, Dec. 19, 1995, 109 Stat. 691, known as the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1601 of this title and Tables.

### Amendments

2019—Subsec. (b)(6). Pub. L. 115–418 added par. (6).

2007—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 110–81, § 201(a)(1), substituted, in heading, “Quarterly” for “Semiannual” and, in text, “20 days after the end of the quarterly period beginning on the first day of January, April, July, and October of each year in which a registrant is registered under section 1603 of this title, or on the first business day after such 20th day if the 20th day is not a business day,” for “45 days after the end of the semiannual period beginning on the first day of each January and the first day of July of each year in which a registrant is registered under section 1603 of this title,” and “such quarterly period” for “such semiannual period”.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 110–81, § 201(a)(2)(A), substituted “quarterly report” for “semiannual report” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 110–81, § 207(a)(2), inserted “, including information under section 1603(b)(3) of this title” before semicolon.

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 110–81, § 201(a)(2)(B), substituted “quarterly period” for “semiannual filing period” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 110–81, § 201(a)(2)(C), substituted “quarterly period” for “semiannual period”.

Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 110–81, § 201(a)(2)(D), substituted “quarterly period” for “semiannual filing period”.

Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 110–81, § 202, added par. (5).

Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 110–81, § 201(b)(6)(A), substituted “$5,000” for “$10,000” and “$10,000” for “$20,000”.

Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 110–81, § 201(b)(6)(B), substituted “$5,000” for “$10,000” in two places.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 110–81, § 203(a), added subsec. (d).

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 110–81, § 205, added subsec. (e).

1998—Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 105–166 struck out par. (3) which read as follows: “A registrant that reports lobbying expenditures pursuant to section 6033(b)(8) of title 26 may satisfy the requirement to report income or expenses by filing with the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives a copy of the form filed in accordance with section 6033(b)(8).”

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2007 Amendment

Pub. L. 110–81, title II, § 203(b), Sept. 14, 2007, 121 Stat. 744, provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to the first semiannual period described in section 5(d)(1) of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 [2 U.S.C. 1604(d)(1)] (as added by this section) that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act [Sept. 14, 2007] and each succeeding semiannual period.”

Except as otherwise provided, amendment by Pub. L. 110–81 applicable with respect to registrations under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (this chapter) having an effective date of Jan. 1, 2008, or later and with respect to quarterly reports under that Act covering calendar quarters beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2008, see section 215 of Pub. L. 110–81, set out as a note under section 30104 of Title 52, Voting and Elections.

### Effective Date

Section effective Jan. 1, 1996, see section 24 of Pub. L. 104–65, set out as a note under section 1601 of this title.