LOS ANGELES COUNTY : Antonovich, Molina Seek to Toughen Lobbying Law

Angered by lackadaisical compliance with Los Angeles County’s lobbyist registration ordinance, Supervisors Michael Antonovich and Gloria Molina proposed separate measures Monday to force lobbyists to comply with the law and document their activities.

Antonovich will introduce a motion at today’s meeting of the Board of Supervisors that would ban official contacts with lobbyists who do not obey the law, spokesman Dawson Oppenheimer said.

Last week, The Times reported that many lobbyists are not complying with provisions in the ordinance requiring that they list which firms they represent, how much they are paid for their services and what official actions they are attempting to influence.

Supervisor Gloria Molina is expected to introduce a motion today that would strengthen the ordinance, adding new reporting requirements and civil penalties. Under Molina’s proposal, lobbyists would be fined $2,100 for failure to comply with the law.

Molina’s ordinance would also require lobbyists to report gifts and campaign contributions to supervisors and would require firms that hire lobbyists to register as well.