MINNESOTA CAMPAIGN FINANCE AND PUBLIC DISCLOSURE BOARD 2012 LOBBYING DISBURSEMENT SUMMARY January – December 2012 Issued: November, 2013 Information in this summary is based on 2012 reports filed by registered lobbyists and the 2012 Annual Reports of Principals. The information has not been verified or audited. Lobbyist Disbursement Reports and Principal Reports may be amended or submitted after the publication of this report. Lobbyist reports are available for public inspection at the Board office and on the Board’s website at: http://www.cfbreport.state.mn.us/rptViewer/viewRptsLob.php Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board Suite 190, Centennial Building 658 Cedar Street St. Paul MN 55155-1603 Telephone: 651-539-1190 or 800-657-3889 Fax: 651-539-1196 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.cfboard.state.mn.us This document is available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities by calling 651-297-7352, 800-657-3889, or through the Minnesota Relay Service at 800-627-3529. TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................2 Lobbying Overview .............................................................................................................................3 What is Lobbying .............................................................................................................................3 Who is a Lobbyist.............................................................................................................................3 About Lobbyist Registration .............................................................................................................4 Principal ...........................................................................................................................................4 Filing Dates ......................................................................................................................................4 Types of Lobbying ............................................................................................................................4 Comparison of Total Lobbying Disbursements ...................................................................................5 Comparison of Total Lobbyist Principal Disbursements by Year .........................................................6 Other Sources of Funds for Lobbying Purposes ............................................................................7 Definition ............................................................................................................................................................ 7 Disclosure ........................................................................................................................................7 List of Sources .................................................................................................................................................. 8 Reported Items or Benefits to Public and Local Officials ..............................................................19 Definitions .......................................................................................................................................19 Disclosure .......................................................................................................................................19 List of Reported Items or Benefits to Public and Local Officials ......................................................... 20 Lists of Entities That Reported Making the Largest Amount of Disbursements ............................. 27 Total Disbursements .................................................................................................................28 Legislative Action ......................................................................................................................29 Administrative Action .................................................................................................................30 Metropolitan Governmental Unit Action .....................................................................................31 Lobbyist Principals with Disbursements to Influence MN PUC ..................................................32 Lobbyist Principals with Annual Disbursements of Over $250,000 ............................................33 Associations, Lobbyists, and Total Disbursements .......................................................................34 Reporting Categories ......................................................................................................................34 Total Lobbying Disbursements .......................................................................................................35 Expenditures on Lobbying Subjects ...............................................................................................36 List of Associations, Lobbyists, and Total Disbursements .........................................................37 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Act (Minnesota Statutes Chapter 10A) requires lobbyists to report disbursements for lobbying purposes to the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board twice each year. The Act also requires principals to file an annual report disclosing expenditures to the nearest $20,000. This summary is based on the reports of lobbyist and principal disbursements made during calendar year 2012. During 2012, 1,413 individuals were registered as lobbyists to represent 1,354 associations and individuals. Lobbyists filed 3,583 periodic reports for the twelve-month period. The lobbying disbursement reports disclosed a total of $11,478,298 spent on lobbying activities, not including the salaries and fees paid to lobbyists. Principals filed 1,287 annual reports for 2012. Principal expenditures were disclosed in two numbers: 1) the amount spent to influence administrative action by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MN PUC) in cases of rate setting, power plant and power line siting and granting of certificates of need; and 2) all other lobbying expenditures in Minnesota not included in number 1. Principals reported a total of $61,889,329 in expenditures, with $2,749,590 of that total being expenditures for the MN PUC and $59,139,739 in expenditures for all other lobbying. This amount Includes lobbyist salaries, advertising and public relations campaigns, and all other lobbying disbursements made by the principal and lobbyists. Lobbyists reported that 891 (66%) of the 1,354 entities represented made disbursements for lobbying purposes. The reports disclosed that 86% of lobbying disbursements were made for the purpose of influencing legislative action, 13% of disbursements were made to influence administrative action, and 1% were made to influence the official actions of metropolitan governmental units. See page 5 for a comparison of total lobbying disbursements by type of lobbying reported and total lobbying expenditures reported by principals in 2011 and 2012. Lobbyists must disclose gifts, loans, items or services equal in value to $5 or more given or paid to officials by the lobbyist, the lobbyist’s principal, or an employee of the lobbyist. Twenty-seven lobbyists reported giving items or benefits totaling $7,165 to 121 legislators, three constitutional officers, and 31 local and 14 public officials. See page 19 for definitions and see subsequent pages for details of the transfers. Lobbyists are not required to disclose their salaries. Lobbyists and principals are not required to disclose political contributions, which are disclosed by the recipients on periodic campaign finance reports. The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce reported the largest total disbursements during the period. The largest total disbursements for administrative action lobbying was reported by Xcel Energy Services Inc. Lobbyists for Education Minnesota reported the largest total disbursements for legislative action lobbying, and lobbyists for the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors reported the largest disbursements in attempts to influence metropolitan governmental units. Complete lists of the entities that reported making the largest amounts of disbursements and the largest amounts of disbursements by type of lobbying begin on page 28. This summary also includes a list of associations and the lobbyists that represented each association during 2012 along with the total amounts of disbursements made by each association. See page 37. -2- LOBBYING OVERVIEW What is lobbying? Lobbying is attempting to influence legislative or administrative action or the official action of a metropolitan governmental unit by communicating with or urging others to communicate with public or defined local officials. Any activity that directly supports this communication is considered a part of lobbying. Who is a lobbyist? For the purpose of this summary, “lobbyist” means: 1) An individual who is engaged for pay or other consideration of more than $3,000 from all sources in a year for the purpose of attempting to influence legislative or administrative action or the official action of a metropolitan governmental unit by communicating with or urging others to communicate with public or local officials; 2) An individual who is not compensated more than $3,000 but spends more than $250 in any year (not including travel expenses and membership dues) for the purpose of attempting to influence legislative or administrative