LOS ANGELES : Wilson Signs Bill Closing Loophole in Lobbying Law

Gov. Pete Wilson has signed into law a bill that closes a loophole in Los Angeles’ tough new lobbying ordinance, giving the city and other local governments authority to monitor and regulate the activities of lawyers working as lobbyists.

Under the legislation, signed by Wilson on Monday, cities can adopt ordinances requiring lawyers to report their lobbying activities and the amounts they are paid. Previously, lawyers in Los Angeles claimed they were exempt from the city’s lobbying law because of the attorney-client privilege.

“Now an attorney who is working as a lobbyist will have to register and disclose the same information as anyone else,” said Assemblyman Jack O’Connell (D-Carpinteria), who proposed the legislation at the request of Los Angeles city officials. “We wanted to make a level playing field.”