The Lobbyist Disclosure Code (KCC 1.07) promotes the full disclosure of lobbyists and lobbyists’ employers in order to protect the openness and integrity of the legislative process.

A lobbyist is any person who is employed, appointed, or retained to influence legislators through direct communication. Employed lobbyists and those who hire lobbyists to influence the actions of the Metropolitan King County Council or the King County Executive must provide the following information to the Department of Executive Services (DES):

• Lobbyist registration statement
• Report of lobbying expenditures
• Lobbyist compensation
• Subject(s) of lobbying interest

You may make complaints alleging violations of the lobbyist disclosure code to the Ombuds. When we receive a complaint, we provide a copy to the person accused of violating the code. If after an initial review we decide that the complaint is unfounded, then we dismiss the complaint. If we decide that more review is needed, we open an investigation. At the end of our investigation we make a written finding of whether there is reasonable cause to believe a violation has occurred. People found to have violated the code may be fined $1,000 per violation up to a total of $2,500 and may appeal our findings to the Hearing Examiner.

Please contact us with any questions concerning the lobbyist disclosure policy or if you believe that a lobbyist has violated the lobbyist disclosure code.

• King County Lobbyist Disclosure Code (KCC 1.07) [.pdf]
• Department of Executive Services’ Lobbyist Registration Page [.pdf]
• Lobbyist Disclosure Complaint Form [.pdf]