Pennsylvania Lobbying Registrations Searchable Online

Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth Pedro A. Cortés announced this week that the Department of State has made searchable lobbying registrations and expense reporting forms available online for those engaged in lobbying activities.

"Pennsylvanians deserve access to information and transparency in state government operations. The addition of the online searchable database and expense reporting forms enables greater disclosure of lobbying activities," said Cortés.

As required by the Lobbying Disclosure Act, all lobbyists, lobbying firms and principals are expected to register with the Department of State within ten days of any lobbying activity. Registration statements are filed separately, and renewed biennially.

Just as with campaign finance registration statements and reports, lobbying disclosure registration statements and quarterly expense reports are available to complete online or to download, complete and submit on paper from the department's campaign finance and lobbying disclosure Web site.

Registration statements are available through the online searchable database. The database will show the entity's entire registration statement, including name, address and clients.

The Web site also now has the capability to enable lobbyists, lobbying firms and principals to amend their registration information online. In order to file or amend registration statements or quarterly expense reports online, registrants must first register their e-Signature through PA Power Port, which can be accessed through the department's Web site for lobbying disclosure.

The public can also review registration statements and quarterly expense reports filed online as soon as registrants submit their statements or reports. A copy of the paper forms, which are similar to the online forms, may be viewed on the department's Web site. At the present time, the online quarterly expense reports may only be used for registrants filing reports, but the department plans to make such online reports available for viewing by the general public, just as the public can view the online lobbying disclosure registration statement process today.

KW