Ethics Panel Amends Rules for Lobbyists

The Los Angeles Ethics Commission approved several amendments to the city’s lobbyist law on Thursday, aiming to clarify the rules regulating the multimillion-dollar industry operating in City Hall.

While most of the law, considered the strictest in the nation, remained intact, the five-member commission agreed to broaden the range of financial activities subject to disclosure for some of the lobbyists with the largest client bases.

The commission, which had considered amending the definition of a lobbyist in the ordinance, left that controversial issue alone.

The changes will be forwarded to the City Council, where they are likely to be reviewed in the council’s Rules and Elections Committee. The full council must vote on them as well.

The commission also released its quarterly lobbyist report, showing that lobbyists were paid $992,460 for lobbying city government and that 54 lobbying firms reported receiving $2.5 million for their services.

The report also showed that council members Hal Bernson, Rudy Svorinich and Joel Wachs received $1,250 in political contributions.

In addition, it was reported that the city paid $442,884 to lobbyists and lawyers, including $15,000 for Councilman Nate Holden’s legal fees to defend him against sexual harassment lawsuits.