The Lobbyist Registration Form is the disclosure form that the City of Jersey City requires from every person who meets the definition of "Lobbyist Representative" under Mayoral Executive Order 2002-005 and Municipal Ordinance No. 02-075, §3-9.2. It is filed with the City Clerk and names who is paid to influence city legislation or contracts, on whose behalf and for what. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the form itself is published by the City of Jersey City.
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What is Lobbyist Registration Form – Jersey City, NJ?
The Lobbyist Registration Form is the City of Jersey City form on which a Lobbyist Representative discloses who pays them, whose interests they serve and which ordinance, resolution or contract they are trying to influence. It is filed with the City Clerk.
Filing is mandatory under Mayoral Executive Order 2002-005 and Ordinance No. 02-075, §3-9.2 of the Jersey City Municipal Code for all persons who meet the definition of Lobbyist Representative. The form is divided into four sections:
- Section 1: the Lobbyist Representative's name, business address and regular occupation.
- Section 2: the person from whom the Lobbyist Representative receives compensation.
- Section 3: the person in whose interests the Lobbyist Representative acts, completed only when that person is not the one paying.
- Section 4: the employment relationship, the length of compensation, the specific ordinance, resolution or contract (or a general description of its type) and the interest the payer wants to advance or protect.
The form defines its key terms. A "lobbyist representative" is anyone who receives or agrees to receive compensation, directly or indirectly, including reimbursement for expenses, to influence ordinances, resolutions or contracts by communication. "Person" covers individuals, sole proprietorships, partnerships, committees, associations, corporations and other organizations.
The form does not register property or tax accounts. It is a municipal ethics-and-disclosure filing under Chapter 3 of the Municipal Code.
Who needs to file Lobbyist Registration Form – Jersey City, NJ?
Every person who meets the definition of "Lobbyist Representative" must file this form. That is anyone who receives or agrees to receive compensation, in money or anything of value, including reimbursement for expenses, to influence ordinances or resolutions, or the proposal, negotiation, amendment, approval or entry into contracts. Compensation can be received directly or indirectly.
The form defines "person" broadly: an individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, committee, association, corporation or any other organization or group of persons.
"Influence" means any attempt by communication, whether successful or not, aimed at the Municipal Council, the Mayor or the City's contracting process. "Communication" covers contact with a Municipal Council member, the Mayor, the Mayor's or Council's staff, or an officer or member of the Executive Branch. Communication to the general public is excluded from that definition.
The form must be signed by the Lobbyist Representative. It does not describe filing through an agent or representative. If you are unsure whether you qualify, the form directs you to review Ordinance 02-075, §3-9.1 through §3-9.5, which the City Clerk provides on request.
When to file Lobbyist Registration Form – Jersey City, NJ
File the form when you meet the definition of Lobbyist Representative: it is mandatory, and a separate original copy must be filed with the City Clerk for each specific legislation or contract, or for each type of legislation or contract, over which you intend to exert influence. The form prints no calendar deadline.
Failing to file has stated consequences. Under §3-9.4 of the Jersey City Municipal Code, a person who does not file is subject to the listed penalties, and any contract the City enters into with a person whose Lobbyist Representative failed to file is voidable by the City. The City Clerk's page adds that the contractor can be disqualified, following notice, and cannot enter into contracts or agreements with the City for two years for each violation.
How to fill out Lobbyist Registration Form – Jersey City, NJ
Review the ordinance and definitions
Read the definitions printed on the form and City Ordinance 02-075, §3-9.1 through §3-9.5, available from the City Clerk on request, to confirm you are a Lobbyist Representative.
Complete Section 1
Enter your name as Lobbyist Representative, your business address and your regular occupation.
Identify who pays you in Section 2
Enter the name and address of the person from whom you receive compensation, and that person's occupation or principal business.
Complete Section 3 if it applies
Fill it out only if the person in whose interests you act is different from the person paying you. Give that person's name, business address and occupation or principal business.
Describe your employment in Section 4
Answer whether you are employed solely as a Lobbyist Representative by the person paying you or are a regular employee in some other capacity. If you know, state how long you will receive compensation.
Specify the ordinance, resolution or contract
Name the specific ordinance, resolution or contract you are acting on. If it is not specific, describe the type of ordinance, resolution or contracts instead.
Describe the interest being advanced
Explain the interest that the person paying you seeks to advance or protect through your lobbying activities.
Date and sign the form
Enter the date on the "Dated" line and sign as the Lobbyist Representative; the form must be signed before it is filed.
Prepare one form per matter
Complete a separate original for each specific legislation or contract, or each type of legislation or contract, over which you intend to exert influence.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check that Sections 1 through 4 are fully completed and signed, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and file it as described under How to submit.
How to submit Lobbyist Registration Form – Jersey City, NJ
The form is filed with the City of Jersey City Municipal Clerk. Details from the form and the City Clerk's lobbyist registration page:
- City Clerk: file a separate original copy for each specific legislation or contract, or each type of legislation or contract. Sections 1 through 4 must be fully completed and the Lobbyist Representative must sign before filing.
- Email: the City Clerk's page says to email the form to the address shown on that page.
The form prints no street address or other channel, and no fee is mentioned for it. Copies of Ordinance 02-075 and Executive Order 2002-005 are available from the City Clerk on request. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the City Clerk's channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Not filing at all: failure to file exposes the person to the penalties in §3-9.4 and makes any City contract with their client voidable.
- Filing one form for several ordinances or contracts when a separate original is required for each specific legislation or contract, or each type.
- Leaving any of Sections 1 through 4 incomplete; the form requires all four to be fully completed before filing.
- Submitting the form without the Lobbyist Representative's signature.
- Filling out Section 3 when the person in whose interests you act is the same as the person paying you; it applies only when they differ.
- Naming the compensating person but not the specific ordinance, resolution or contract, with no general description of its type either.
- Filing without first reviewing Ordinance 02-075, §3-9.1 through §3-9.5, which the form says to read before answering.
Frequently asked questions
Who has to file the Jersey City Lobbyist Registration Form?
Every person who meets the definition of Lobbyist Representative: anyone who receives or agrees to receive compensation, including reimbursement for expenses, to influence city ordinances, resolutions or contracts by communication. Filing is mandatory under Ordinance No. 02-075, §3-9.2.
Do I need a separate form for each contract or ordinance?
Yes. A separate original copy must be filed with the City Clerk for each specific legislation or contract, or for each type of legislation or contract, over which you intend to exert influence.
What happens if I do not file the Lobbyist Registration Form?
You are subject to the penalties in §3-9.4 of the Jersey City Municipal Code, and any City contract with the person whose Lobbyist Representative did not file is voidable. The City Clerk's page also lists disqualification following notice and a two-year contract bar for each violation.
Where do I file the Jersey City Lobbyist Registration Form?
With the City of Jersey City Municipal Clerk. The City Clerk's lobbyist registration page says to email the form to the address it lists. The form itself prints no street address or other channel.
When do I fill out Section 3?
Only when the person in whose interests you act is different from the person paying you. If they are the same, Section 2 already identifies them and Section 3 is not needed.
Is communicating with the public lobbying under this form?
No. The form defines communication as contact with a Municipal Council member, the Mayor, their staff, or an officer or member of the Executive Branch, as distinguished from communication to the general public.
Can I fill out the Lobbyist Registration Form online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not file the form with the City Clerk; you submit it through the City's channels.
Where can I read the ordinance behind this form?
Ask the City Clerk. The form says copies of Ordinance 02-075 and of Executive Order 2002-005, dated May 6, 2002, are available from the City Clerk on request, and tells you to review §3-9.1 through §3-9.5 before answering.
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