Oregon Government Ethics Commission

You are partly correct! 

Lobbyists are required to report the total amount spent on food, refreshment, and entertainment for the purpose of lobbying [ORS 171.745(1)(a)]. That means Micah needs to report the $315 spent on all of these meals with legislative officials. 

Lobbyists are also required to itemize expenditures when they spend more than $50 on a legislative official on a single occasion [ORS 171.745(1)(b)]. At first glance, it appears that Micah didn’t spend over $50 on any single official. The Guide to Lobbying in Oregon, page 32, clarifies what to do if a relative, household member, or staff member attends a lobbying event with an official. The amount spent on the relative, household member, or staff member needs to be added to the amount spent on the official and the relative, household member, or staff member must be identified in the itemized expense. 

That means Micah needs to report the total expenditure of $315 and itemize the expenditure for the legislator's meal with their spouse. But what about the meal with the senator and 3 of their staff members?


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