EAO 091

An organization that hosts a reception to which all legislators are invited must report that expenditure on its lobbyist activity report under section 305.0062(d), under the category of “events to which all legislators are invited.” Such expenditures are not required to be reported under any other section of the lobbyist activity report. Transportation to a sporting event that is of “incidental value” is not prohibited or reportable under chapter 305. A lobby expenditure for transportation that is of more than “incidental value” is prohibited by chapter 305. An organization that “underwrites” the cost of an event by earmarking funds given to a registered organization to host an event may have to report those funds as lobby expenditures under chapter 305, or the underwriting organization may be listed as a person who reimburses, retains, or employs the host organization. Other registrants who attend a reception and sporting event hosted by an organization do not have to report any expenditures if none were made with their consent. However, a registrant who purchases a ticket to an event in order to directly communicate with a member of the legislative or executive branch to influence legislation or administrative action may be required to report the price of the ticket.