City Clerk's Office

How To Register

Online

Registration can be completed on the City of Madison Licenses & Permits portal. You will need to login, if you do not have an account, you will need to create an account to fill out the registration.

In Person, Fax or Mail

Return an original, signed Registration Form PDF  to:

Who Needs to Register?

City of Madison ordinance requires all lobbyists—an individual whose paid duties include trying to influence City legislative or administrative action—to register with the City Clerk and to file authorization by the Principal to lobby on its behalf. Every lobbyist who makes a lobbying communication which is not exempt shall, within five (5) working days after the first lobbying communication, file with the City Clerk a registration statement.

What Else Is Needed?

At the time of the lobbyist registration, the principal must file with the City Clerk written authorization authorizing the lobbyist to lobby on their behalf. The authorization is included in the registration form. The lobbyist or principal must file a separate registration and authorization form for each principal represented by the lobbyist.

When Does Registration Take Effect? When Does It Expire?

Registration and authorization take effect on the date the City Clerk receives the completed forms. The registration expires on December 31 of each year. If all lobbying by or on behalf of the principal ceases, the City Clerk shall terminate the principal’s authorization as of the day after the principal files a statement of cessation and any required expense statements. Similarly, if a lobbyist ceases all lobbying activities, the registration will terminate after the filing of a cessation statement and the filing on any required expense statements.

When Must Expense Statements Be Filed?

Every principal who makes expenditures or incurs obligations in an aggregate amount exceeding $1,000 in any reporting period for the purpose of engaging in lobbying which is not exempt under Subsection (3) shall, for the remainder of that calendar year, file with the City Clerk an expense statement covering each preceding reporting period. Every registered principal who does not make expenditures or incur obligations in an aggregate amount exceeding $1,000 in any reporting period for the purpose of engaging in lobbying which is not exempt under Subsection (3) shall, file with the City Clerk an statement indicating that expenditures and obligations for the reporting period did not exceed $1,000. Such statement shall be filed on or before July 31 and January 31. The statement shall be signed under the penalty for making false statements provided in Subsection (13)(c), by the lobbyist, if so authorized by the principal, or by the principal.

What Are The Penalties For Not Registering?

• Any lobbyist who violates any provision of this ordinance may be required to forfeit not more than $5,000.
• Any principal who violates any provision of this ordinance may be required to forfeit not more than $1,000.
• Any person who falsifies information or any person who files or causes to be filed a falsified statement may be required to forfeit not more than $1,000 in addition to any forfeiture imposed under any other provision of the ordinance.
• Any principal, lobbyist or other individual acting on behalf of a principal who files a statement which they do not believe to be true may be required to forfeit not more than $1,000 in addition to any forfeiture imposed under any other provision of the ordinance.