Council Asks Disclosure Law Aimed at Lobbyists

The Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday directed the city attorney’s office to draft a law that would force lobbyists to reveal more information about their clients and projects.

The law, as envisioned by the council, also would force disclosure of the names of all lawyers who serve as lobbyists and had previously been protected by attorney-client privilege. In addition, firms or individuals who pay more than $20,000 in lobbying fees would be required to report that data to the city clerk.

In a separate action, the council approved holding two special hearings on Jan. 17 and 18 to consider a set of sweeping ethics reforms that are under consideration by the Governmental Ethics Ad Hoc Committee. The new lobbyist reform law is to be debated at that time.