Lobbyist Registration

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On October 12, 2016, the Reno City Council adopted Ordinance No. 6415 (“Registration and Regulation of Lobbyists”) amending the Reno Municipal Code to require lobbyists to register with the Reno City Clerk prior to undertaking lobbying efforts and communicating with Council, the Planning Commission, or City of Reno appointive officers (or, “policymakers”).

Council adopted the ordinance – effective January 1, 2017 – in an effort to bring additional transparency to the policymaking and lobbying process. Transparency is a priority of Council and, as such, it has required the registration of lobbyists to provide its citizens with a tool to keep them informed about the various individuals lobbying Reno public officials and staff.

Therefore, pursuant to Reno Municipal Code Sec. 2.22.010 to 2.22.050 , lobbyists are required to register with the City Clerk prior to communicating with a policymaker and must obtain an identification badge from the City Clerk to be worn by the lobbyist at all times in City Hall. In general, a lobbyist is a person who:

Communicates with a member of Council, a member of the Planning Commission, or a City of Reno appointive officer to influence them to take action on any matter over which they have supervision, control, jurisdiction, or advisory power; and
Represents an individual, group, or entity for their interests or benefit; and
Receives compensation from that individual, group, or entity to represent their interests.

For the complete definition of a lobbyist, please refer to Reno Municipal Code Sec. 2.22.010 .

Additional Information

Frequently Asked Questions

Lobbyist Registration
- Am I a lobbyist who is required to register with the City Clerk?
  You are a lobbyist if:
  1. You communicate with a policymaker to influence the policymaker to take action on any matter over which he or she has supervision, control, jurisdiction or advisory power;
  2. You do so on behalf of some other individual, group or entity other than yourself for their benefit; and
  3. You receive anything of value from that individual, group or entity. RMC Sec. 2.22.010
- Who is a policymaker?
  For the purposes of the City of Reno lobbyist registration program, a policymaker is the Mayor, a City Council member, a Planning Commission member or City of Reno appointive officer as designated in Section 1.090(3) of the Reno City Charter. RMC Sec. 2.22.010
- Is there a list of all current policymakers?
  Yes. You can find an up-to-date list of names and titles of all policymakers online, and the City of Reno City Clerk will have the list available for the public on the second floor of City Hall.
- How do I register as a lobbyist?
  Go to the lobbyist registration form online. The registration form can be filled out and submitted electronically. The registration form may also be filed with the City Clerk by mailing a hard copy, via e-mail or via fax machine. Hard copies of the registration form can be obtained at the City Clerk’s office on the second floor of City Hall.
- What information do I need to disclose in my lobbyist registration filing?
  The required fields in the online registration form will identify all required disclosures and information necessary to complete your filing. Furthermore, RMC Sec. 2.22.020(b) lists specifically the information that is required for the registration form.
- When am I required to register as a lobbyist?
  You are required to register prior to any communications with a policymaker. If communication occurs prior to registration, a registration form must be filed with the City Clerk prior to the next scheduled City Council or Planning Commission meeting, as applicable, or within five (5) working days after the communication occurs, whichever is earlier. If you are already registered and you are engaged or retained by an unlisted client, the same timelines apply for updating your registration.
- Where do I pick up my lobbyist badge? When do I have to wear my lobbyist badge?
  The City Clerk will issue you an identification badge upon registration. The City Clerk’s office is on the second floor of City Hall at 1 East First Street, Reno. If you are an actively registered lobbyist, the identification badge must be worn at all times in City Hall.
- Do I have to register as a lobbyist if I only speak during public comment at a public meeting?
  No. You are not required to register as a lobbyist if you limit your communications to formal appearances at public meetings and clearly identify yourself and on whose behalf you are testifying.
- Does my lobbyist registration expire?
  No. The registration will not expire, but you have a continuing duty to maintain the accuracy of your registration and client list by submitting supplemental registration forms with the City Clerk.
- How do I terminate my lobbyist registration?
  If, once you have registered, you no longer have any clients for which you are lobbying the City of Reno, you should submit a supplemental registration to the City Clerk indicating that you no longer have clients. You have a continuing duty to maintain the accuracy of your registration and client list.
- Is there a fee to register as a lobbyist?
  No. Currently the City Council has not established a required fee for the lobbyist registration program.
- Am I subject to any violations or penalties for violating the City of Reno’s lobbyist registration ordinance?
  Yes. Knowing violation of the provisions may result in a misdemeanor and/or civil penalty not to exceed $500.00. RMC Sec. 2.22.050