The Honest Leadership and Open Government Act mandates that registered lobbying entities file with Congress six disclosure forms per year. There are both quarterly and semi-annual disclosures requirements; each are outlined below. At the bottom of the page, you will also find guidance on congressional gift and travel rules.
Quarterly
(LDA) The Disclosure Act: Report of Expenses for Federal Lobbying Contacts
As a registrant under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 2007, the University is required to file reports on a quarterly basis that include a “good faith” estimate of expenses incurred for the lobbying activities of any individuals that are conducted “on behalf” of the institution. We continue to interpret this requirement to apply to those with senior positions who can be expected to speak for the university, such as Deans and Vice Presidents. We do not attempt to capture faculty who interact with policy makers in their areas of professional expertise.
Please click on the link below to report any appropriate expenses your department, or school, may have incurred on behalf of Harvard for the quarterly reporting period referenced below:
- 1st Quarter: covering the period January 1 – March 31 (due to House Clerk by mid-April)
- 2nd Quarter: covering the period April 1 – June 30 (due to House Clerk by mid-July)
- 3rd Quarter: covering the period July 1 – September 30 (due to House Clerk by mid-October)
- 4th Quarter: covering the period October 1 – December 31 (due to House Clerk by mid-January)
To assist you in this, the relevant guidance is available as a link below as well as above the online form:
LDA Quarterly Lobbying Worksheet
Semi-Annually (due in mid July and January)
(LDA-203) Lobbying Disclosure Act: Semiannual reporting of Certain Contributions
As a registrant under the Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA), Harvard is required twice a year (July 30 and January 30) to file a report, the LD-203, with Congress that discloses political and honorary contributions. According to current guidance, this includes certain events that honor or recognize a covered official, such as a member of Congress, their staff or senior executive branch officials.
In light of these requirements, we would appreciate your review of events held in the last six months by your department, or school, that honored or recognized certain federal legislative or executive branch officials for their service. The rules do not cover every appearance on campus by a legislative or executive branch official; they concern only events that include “honoring or recognizing” the official.
To meet these requirements, please click on the link below and report the appropriate information including the event, the date held, the name of the covered honoree, and the costs associated with the event where the legislative or executive branch official was honored or recognized for the appropriate period below. If you have more than one event to report, please complete an additional form:
- Mid Year: covering the period January 1 – June 30 (due to House Clerk by mid-July)
- Year End: covering the period July 1 – December 31 (due to House Clerk by mid-January)
To assist you in this, the relevant guidance is available as a link below as well as above the online form:
LD-203 Semi-Annual Lobbying Worksheet
Gift and Travel Rules Covering Members of Congress and their Staff
As situations sometimes arise where faculty and staff interact with members of Congress and their staffs, we wanted to post guidance on gift and travel rules as they relate to House and Senate members and employees. These rules apply to Harvard, as a registered lobbying entity. Below is a link to guidance prepared by outside counsel on these rules. Please reference this and feel free to contact us with any questions you might have.
Gift and Travel Rules Guidance
If you have any questions regarding the LDA, LD-203, or any aspect of this memorandum, please feel free to call Suzanne Day or Jon Groteboer in the Office of Federal Relations at 202-863-1292.