The LSC found some states have clearer and stronger rules on who is considered a lobbyist. In some states, such as Pennsylvania, a lobbyist is basically defined as someone who is paid to lobby. In Ohio, however, it’s a little more complicated.
Here’s how the definition of lobbying varies among Ohio and its neighbors, according to the LSC:
Ohio: A lobbyist, called a legislative agent in the law, is defined as someone who spends "at least a portion" of their time lobbying the General Assembly, or "one of the person's main purpose on a regular and substantial basis" is to lobby the executive branch. These subjective standards forced the Ohio Legislative Inspector General to define "a portion" of someone's time as 5 percent of their time, and set the threshold for executive lobbying at 25 percent.
Michigan: A lobbyist agent "means a person who receives compensation or reimbursement of actual expenses, or both, in a combined amount in excess of $250 in any 12-month period for lobbying."
Indiana: A lobbyist is someone who "engages in lobbying; in any registration year, receives or expends an aggregate of at least $500 in compensation or expenditures reportable under (Indiana lobbying laws), whether the compensation or expenditure is solely for lobbying or the lobbying is incidental to that individual's regular employment."
Kentucky: A legislative agent is defined as "any individual who is engaged: (1) during at least a portion of the individual's time to lobby as one of the individual's official responsibilities, or (2) in lobbying activities as a legislative liaison of an association, coalition, or public interest entity formed for the purpose of promoting or otherwise influencing legislation."
West Virginia: A lobbyist is someone who is "employed by a lobbying firm or who is otherwise employed or contracts for economic consideration, other than reimbursement for reasonable travel expenses, to communicate directly or through the individual's agents with any elective state official, agency official or legislative official for the purpose of promoting, advocating, opposing or otherwise attempting to influence: (1) the passage or defeat or the executive approval or veto of any legislation which may be considered by the Legislature, or (2) the adoption or rejection of any rule, legislative rule, standard, rate, fee or other delegated legislative or quasi-legislative action to be taken or withheld by any executive department."
Pennsylvania: A lobbyist is "any individual, association, corporation, partnership, business trust or business trust or other entity that engages in lobbying on behalf of a principal for economic consideration."
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