The Water Action Guide

Hiring a Lobbyist

If your coalition decides that it’s necessary to hire a lobbyist, you will want to do your homework before contracting with a lobbyist or lobbying group. Here are some tips to help you start your selection process:

Most states include a list of registered lobbyists on their state government Web sites. Lobbyists usually are required by law to register with the state in which they serve and represent clients. There is no single categorical listing for lobbyists, but many lobbying groups are listed with the state Ethics Commission.

Another place to check is your state house or local Chambers of Commerce. They may be able to furnish a list of lobbying firms and the issues and companies they represent.

The fee structure for retaining a lobbyist depends on the size of the market, the size of the lobbying firm, the number of people who will represent a cause within a firm and many other factors. Be prepared to pool resources, however, as hiring a lobbyist will be an investment in your future.

Note: The U. S. Chamber of Commerce, which represents more than three million businesses of every size, sector and region, reported that in the last six months of 2002, it spent $11.3 million on lobbying-related activities.

Additional Resources:

Books
— Guide to State Legislative Lobbying, by Robert L. Guyer and Laura K. Guyer
Paperback: 223 pages
Publisher: Engineering THE LAW, Inc. (November 30, 1999)
ISBN: 0967724201

— The Citizen's Guide to Lobbying Congress, by Donald E. Dekieffer
Paperback: 232 pages
Publisher: Chicago Review Press; (January 1997)
ISBN: 1556521944

Contacts
— American Nursery and Landscape Association (ANLA)
Craig J. Regelbrugge, Senior Director of Government Relations
E-mail: cregelbrugge@anla.org
John Farner, Director of Legislative Relations
E-mail: jfarner@anla.org
Phone (202) 789-2900
Fax: (202) 789-1893

— The Irrigation Association (IA)
Richard Ali, Director, State and Affiliate Relations
E-mail: rich@irrigation.org
Phone: (703) 536-7080
Fax: (703) 536-7019