Early in 2021, the Puerto Rico House of Representatives issued an Administrative Order requiring all natural and legal persons who receive compensation to lobby the House to register prior to engaging in any lobbying activity. The Administrative Order defines “lobbying” as “any act or intervention [for] compensation, payment, or salary to manage or influence the actions, decisions, measures and proceedings” of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives, either through direct communications (whether written, oral, or electronic) with a representative or through any officials, employees, contractors, or advisers of the House. Administrative Order 2021-03, Article 3. Covered “legislative measures and actions” are broadly defined to include all of the following:
- Formulation, modification, or adoption of legislation, internal regulations, motions, legislative expressions of public policy, plans, and resolutions of all kinds;
- Investigations, meetings, inspections, interviews, and hearings of all kinds;
- Requests for information to any public or private person or entity; and
- Any other act that could influence the legislative process.
Following registration, each lobbyist must file a semi-annual report by July 1 and December 31 of each year, identifying the House members or staffers whom the lobbyist contacted and disclosing the issues discussed.
