PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Became Public Law No: 105-166.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · May 16, 1997
Lobbying Disclosure Technical Amendments Act of 1997 - Amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to exclude from the definition of "covered executive branch official" an employee whose position has been determined to be of a confidential, policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating character by: (1) the President for a position the President has excepted from the competitive service; or (2) the President or an agency head for a position excepted from the competitive service by statute. (Sec. 3) Excludes from the definition of "lobbying contact" any communication compelled by a Federal contract grant, loan, permit, or license. Adds to the definition of "public official" a group of governments acting together as an international organization. (Sec. 4) Revises requirements applicable to estimates by entities: (1) reporting lobbying expenditures under provisions relating to charitable, etc., (Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3)) organizations; or (2) covered by provisions prohibiting a trade or business expense deduction for lobbying expenses. Removes provisions allowing such a charitable, etc., organization to meet its semiannual lobbying reporting requirement by filing with the Senate and the House of Representatives the same report filed to satisfy Internal Revenue Code requirements. (Sec. 5) Amends the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 to exempt from a requirement to register as a foreign agent anyone who has engaged in lobbying activities and has registered (currently, anyone who is required to register and does register) under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995.
People & committees
Sen. Levin, Carl [D-MI] · D–MI
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Became Public Law No: 105-166.
Became Public Law No: 105-166.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1257-1258)
Mr. Canady moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Received in the House.
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S12692-12693)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S12692-12693)
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 283.
Committee on Governmental Affairs. Reported to Senate by Senator Thompson without amendment. With written report No. 105-147.
Committee on Governmental Affairs. Reported to Senate by Senator Thompson without amendment. With written report No. 105-147.
Committee on Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4658-4660)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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