Lobbying firms or lobbyist employers (groups that hire lobbying firms) are required to disclose when they also employ legislators or other state officials, or full-time employees of the State of Washington in the L-7 form. Lobbyist firms or employers must file the L-7 form within 15 days of employing the person in question.
For example, environmental law firm Harry Henderson Attorneys at Law lobbies the Washington State Legislature on habitat issues. The firm hires an attorney who is also an appointed member of a state natural resources commission. Harry Henderson should file an L-7 to report that relationship.
The filing has previously only been available through a paper form mailed to the PDC, but the agency has recently developed an online filing option. With the release of this online filing option the paper forms will no longer be accepted.
For questions or help filing your form, contact PDC staff at pdc@pdc.wa.gov.
1. First, log into the PDC’s online filing system the same way you would to file other required lobbying reports. Select the Lobbying tile and click the green “File” button. This selection will route you to your reporting record.
2. Next, at your home-page menu, select “Preview new lobbyist system.”
3.a. If you’re filing for a lobbyist, under Lobbyist Electronic Filing, click that lobbyist’s name.
3.b. If you’re filing as a lobbyist employer, pick the correct employer under "Clients/Employers I file for."
4. Scroll to the bottom of the next page. Find the L7 Reports section and click the green “New” button.
5. Complete the form.
6. Certify and submit the form, and you’re done!