Reminder: Contingency Fees Prohibited!

Generally, lobbyists are prohibited from receiving compensation based on the outcome of legislation, decisions regarding state funds by executive agencies and decisions regarding the placement of funds by one of the five state retirement systems.

A lobbyist’s compensation cannot be based on whether they are successful in achieving a particular outcome (i.e. was the lobbyist successful in efforts relative to a proposed bill or obtaining a contract with an executive agency).

EXCEPTION:

Under R.C. 101.97(B) and 121.67(B), sales employees who are registered as retirement system or executive agency lobbyists are not prohibited from receiving compensation pursuant to an incentive plan (e.g. commission sales); so long as the incentive plan is the same plan used for similarly situated employees who are not retirement system or executive agency lobbyists.

  • Rob is an investment advisor who is going to register to lobby one or more of Ohio’s State Retirement Systems on behalf of his investment firm.  Like all other investment advisors employed by his firm, regardless of whether or not they are registered to lobby, Rob receives compensation in the form of a commission based on his investment transactions.  Rob’s future status as a retirement system lobbyist does not necessarily preclude him from continuing to receive compensation based on the incentive plan used by his investment firm.  Rob should contact JLEC at 614-728-5100 to confirm that he is in compliance with Ohio’s Lobbying Laws.

If you have questions about contingency fees or Ohio’s lobbying laws in general, please contact JLEC at 614-728-5100.