§ 82039

(a) “Lobbyist” means either of the following:

(1) Any individual who receives two thousand dollars ($2,000) or more in economic consideration in a calendar month, other than reimbursement for reasonable travel expenses, or whose principal duties as an employee are, to communicate directly or through that individual’s agents with any elective state official, agency official, or legislative official for the purpose of influencing legislative or administrative action.

(2) A placement agent, as defined in Section 82047.3.

(b) An individual is not a lobbyist by reason of activities described in Section 86300.

(c) For the purposes of subdivision (a), a proceeding before the Public Utilities Commission constitutes “administrative action” if it meets any of the definitions set forth in subdivision (b) or (c) of Section 82002. However, a communication made for the purpose of influencing this type of Public Utilities Commission proceeding is not within subdivision (a) if the communication is made at a public hearing, public workshop, or other public forum that is part of the proceeding, or if the communication is included in the official record of the proceeding.

(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 50, Sec. 143. (AB 378) Effective January 1, 2022. Note: This section was added on June 4, 1974, by initiative Prop. 9, and amended on Nov. 5, 1996, by initiative Prop. 208.)