​​​​Lobbying or lobbying activities” means a communication, by any means, from a lobbyist to certain government decision makers regarding an item that will foreseeably be decided, which communication seeks to influence, convince, or persuade support or opposition for the item.   It is not on-the-record communications at duly-noticed public meetings or hearings.

A “lobbyist” is a person retained (with or without compensation) to lobby or who is employed principally to lobby for his or her employer.  An official or employee who communicates in his or her official capacity, or someone who communicates on his or her own behalf or for his or her employer (unless principally employed to lobby) is not a lobbyist.

All lobbyists are subject to registration and disclosure requirements, and limitations on gift-giving.

In addition, public officials and employees who lobby are subject to lobbying restrictions and may be required to disclose their clients.

Those who lobby Broward County and its 31 municipalities are governed by the State Code of Ethics (Chapter 112 of the Florida Statutes), the Broward County Lobbyist Registration Act (Section 1-260 of the Broward County Code of Ordinances), and any applicable municipal ordinances.  Broward’s elected county and municipal officials must adhere to the provisions of the Code of Ethics for Elected Officials (Section 1-19 of the Broward County Code of Ordinances) that apply to lobbying and receiving gifts from lobbyists and providers.

In addition to other laws, lobbyists are expected to abide by laws relating to:

• Gift Giving and Reporting
• Conflicts of Interest
• Registration for Lobbying Activity
• Reporting Contacts

• ​Florida Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees:
  - Post-service Lobbying, Fla. Stat. Sec. 112.313​ (see subsection 14)
  - Client Reporting, Fla. Stat. Sec. 112.3145 (see subsection 5)
  - Gift Giving, Receiving, and Reporting, Fla. Stat. Sec. 112.3148​

• Broward County Lobbyist Registration Act:  Code Secs. 1-260 et seq.

• Broward County Employee Code of Ethics:  Code Sec. 26-73, Code Secs. 26-76 and 26-77

Most municipalities and Broward County require advance lobbyist registration.  These municipal laws address lobbyists and lobbying: 

• Coconut Creek:  Code Sec. 2-1000 et seq.

• Cooper City:  Code Sec. 2-232 et seq.​

• Coral Springs:  Code Sec. 2-304, Code Secs. 2-330 et seq.

• Dania Beach:  Code Secs. 2-230 et seq.

• Davie:  Code Secs. 2-56 et seq.

• Deerfield Beach:  Code Secs. 2-531 et seq.

• Fort Lauderdale:  Code Secs. 2-260 et seq.

• Hallandale Beach:  Code Sec. 2-3, Code Sec. 23-6

• Hollywood:  Code Sec. 30.15, Code Sec. 34.05

• Lauderdale Lakes:  Code Secs. 2.5​01 et seq​.

• Lauderdale-by-the-Sea:  Code Sec. 2-1

• Lauderhill:  Code Sec. 2-24

• Lighthouse Point:  Code Secs. 2-390 et seq.

• Margate:  Code Sec. 2-19

• Miramar:  Code Secs. 2-310 et seq.

• Oakland Park:  Code Sec. 2-16.5

• Parkland:  Code Secs. 2.5-1 et seq.

• Pembroke Pines:  Code Sec​s. 30.70 et seq.​

• Pompano Beach:  Code S​ecs. 34.400 et seq.​

• Southwest Ranches:  Code Sec. 6.2

• Sunrise:  Code Secs. 2-10 et seq.

• Tamarac:  Code Secs. 2-409 et seq.

• West Park:  Code Secs. 2-201 et seq.

• Weston:  Code Sec. 25.01, 25.02

• Wilton Manors:  Code Secs. 2-352 et seq.

Please also review the OIG's training supplements on the subjects of Conflicts of Interest for Officials and Employees, Disclosure Requirements for Elected Officials, Lobbyists and Lobbying, and Officials and Employees Accepting and Reporting Gifts.