§ 2-2-53. RESTRICTIONS ON CONTRIBUTIONS BY LOBBYISTS.

(A)

The city council finds that the practice of lobbying for compensation creates a unique relationship between candidates and officeholders on the one hand, and lobbyists on the other. To preserve public confidence in the electoral process, to diminish the appearance of impropriety and special influence, and to minimize the role of political contributions in the legislative and regulatory processes and the awarding of public contracts, it is appropriate to prohibit persons who lobby the city council from making contributions to candidates for mayor and city council and to officeholders. Accordingly, no person who is compensated to lobby the city council and who is required to register with the City as a lobbyist, and no spouse of the person, may contribute more than $25 in a campaign period to an officeholder or candidate for mayor or city council, or to a specific purpose political committee involved in an election for mayor or city council.

(B)

A lobbyist may contribute to the Austin Fair Campaign Fund created under this chapter.

Source: Ord. 20080925-079.