Plan calls for tracking lobbyists

Many lobbyists would have to register with the city of Seattle when they try to sway the mayor and City Council on legislation, according to a law the council is expected to pass today.

Although most members of the public probably would not monitor who makes the rounds at City Hall, requiring registration "enriches the public discussion of how the elected officials are making decisions," said Councilmember Nick Licata. He has spent three years trying to get the law on the books, and it appears likely to pass this time.

Under the proposal, lobbyists who spend at least four days in a three-month period communicating with the mayor, council members or their staff on legislation would have to report their activity and how much they were paid.

The Ethics and Elections Commission, which would oversee the new rule, estimates about 25 people would have to register in Seattle. Violators would be fined up to $5,000.

King County and the state already require similar registration.

Ordinary citizens voicing their concerns to elected officials would not have to register.

Licata said it would be difficult for people to draw conclusions about who influences elected officials based just on the information lobbyists would provide.

"I don't think the information by itself will necessarily lead anyone anywhere," he said. "They are going to have to give some thought on who is talking to who and what legislation is pending."

The information would be most useful to community activists and the media, he said.

Dave Gering, executive director of Seattle's Manufacturing Industrial Council, said he would welcome the new rule.

Gering would have been required to register if the law had been in effect last year when he urged council members to protect industrial land. Developers lobbied the city heavily to permit uses other than manufacturing in the areas.

"If the public or the media or somebody chooses to care about an issue, they really have a right to know who is down there trying to influence legislation," Gering said.

Licata's previous efforts to require registration failed. His last proposal was written more broadly and council members feared it would discourage dialogue between constituents and their elected officials.

He rewrote the legislation to cover only paid lobbyists. It would exempt people who speak during public sessions at council meetings, union officials who discuss contract negotiations, elected officials and other government agencies such as the Port of Seattle or a housing authority.

Chris Leman, a representative for the nonprofit Seattle Community Council Federation, does not like the exemption for government agencies. Neither do several commissioners on the Seattle Ethics and Elections Board.

"Most of the consulting is done by people not hired to be lobbyists, like the school superintendent, executive director of Sound Transit, staff of Office of Corrections," Leman said, and he wants that disclosed. "It's very important for the public to know what efforts are being made whether at private expense or at public expense to lobby our elected officials."

Council members said including government agencies would not be practical because there are so many agencies. Licata has the five votes necessary for passage, and he is reluctant to make changes. Councilmembers Jean Godden, Tom Rasmussen, Tim Burgess and Council President Richard Conlin are co-sponsoring.

"I've done enough 1-8 votes," he said. "I want to get something passed."

Sharon Pian Chan: 206-464-2958 or schan@seattletimes.com