The University Record, March 12, 1996
New lobbying, gift rules may affect some at U-M
Two recent changes in lobbying rules may affect those who have contact with U.S. government officials on behalf of the University.
The Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA), signed into law in December, requires the disclosure of efforts by paid lobbyists to affect decisions in the executive and legislative branches of the federal government.
The LDA also requires that universities keep records of lobbying on behalf of the institution by their own faculty and staff. Faculty lobbying on their own behalf, rather than in support of the University, are excluded from the new regulations.
Effective Jan. 1, there are new gift rules pertaining to members of Congress.
Senators and their employees may accept any gift with a value of less than $50, with a total value of less than $100 from one source in a calendar year. Representatives and their employees may accept items of nominal value.
While these rules have been adopted by the House and Senate, some individual senators and representatives have adopted stricter rules for their offices. For example, Rep. Lynn Rivers and her staff do not accept any gifts.
For more information on these new regulations, call Cindy Bank, federal relations officer, in the U-M-Washington, D.C., office at (202) 554-0578, or send e-mail to [email protected].
