FINAL ADVISORY OPINION 2000-03: Whether lobbyists' contributions made in the form of sponsorship fees to various non-profit organizations which host conferences which Indiana legislators attend are reportable and, if so, how are they to be reported?
Indiana Lobby Registration Commission
(Ratification vote taken at public meeting of May 23, 2000)
RATIFICATION VOTE:
Chairman Abbs - Vice-Chairman Krahulik - Commissioner Bepko - Commissioner Heeke - Questions and written comments may be directed to Indiana Lobby Registration Commission, 10 W Market St, Ste 1760, Indianapolis, IN 46204 (317) 232-9860
Contributions made in the form of sponsorship fees to various non-profit organizations which host conferences which legislators attend are not reportable if the legislator will not and does not personally benefit from the contribution. However, should specific facts arise which support a finding that contributions were made with the intention of influencing legislative action, then a reporting duty is triggered.
Funds contributed by a registered Indiana lobbyist to a non-profit organization which are designated to be used for the direct benefit of any Indiana legislator are considered to be reportable lobbying expenditures. For example, if the non-profit organization hosts a golf outing, and the lobbyist makes a contribution to the non-profit organization and part of the contribution is designated by the lobbyist to pay for the legislator's meal, cart and green fees, the value of the meal, cart and green fees is a reportable lobbying expenditure.
