Electronic Filing Instructions

Due to the provisions of LB 782 (2012) that took effect on January 1, 2015, all lobby registrations and reports are required to be submitted electronically using the online lobby registration and reporting system. Paper forms cannot be accepted.

• Anyone who is going to lobby on the behalf of another must register as a Lobbyist.
• A Lobbyist must register for each Principal they are going to lobby on behalf of.
• Lobbyists are required to submit quarterly expense reports throughout the year (unless they are exempt) as well as an activity report after each session.
• Principals are also required to submit quarterly expense reports.
• Registrations automatically expire December 31st of every year and need to be renewed in order to continue lobbying.

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Topics

• Accessing the Online Lobby System
• Forgotten Password and/or Username
• Create Account (for new users)
• Change Contact or Account Information
• Amending Forms
• Form A - Registration or Form A-R - Registration Renewal

• Form A - Registration
• Form A-R - Registration Renewal

• Paying Registration Fee(s)
• Form B - Lobbyist Expense Quarterly Report
• Form C - Principal Expense Quarterly Report
• Form D - Statement of Activity
• Form E - Exemption Statement (for non-compensated lobbyists)
• Form F - Termination Statement
• Questions

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Accessing the Online Lobby System

1. Navigate to www.nebraskalegislature.gov
2. Click on “For Lobbyists” on the left side.
3. Select “Submit Lobbyist and Principal Reports”.
4. Sign in using your username and password.

• If you don’t remember your password or username, do not create a new account - see “Forgotten Password and/or Username” or contact the Lobby Clerk at lobby@leg.ne.gov or (402) 471-2608.
• If you have not ever created an account on this system - see “Create Account”.

5. You can access forms on the left side once you sign in.

• If you do not see the forms you need, make sure you are signed into the correct account. Lobbyists and Principals who have separate accounts have different login credentials.

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Forgotten Password and/or Username

Under the “Sign In” box on the right side of the screen, click on whichever you need - password or username - and follow the instructions or you can contact the Lobby Clerk at lobby@leg.ne.gov or (402) 471-2608.

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Create Account (for new users)

Each Lobbyist and Principal need to have an account in order to use the online lobby system. A Lobbyist can have only one account. Create an account only if you have not created one in the past. You will use your same account for any time that you use the online lobby system. If you don’t remember your password or username - see “Forgotten Password and/or Username”. Be sure to keep track of your password and username. 

1. Select “Create Account” on the left side. Complete all the fields.

2. If whomever the account is being created for (Lobbyist or Principal) has filed any forms in the past, mark the box that states - “Mark this box if the lobbyist/principal creating an account has filed any forms in the past.” If they have not filed any forms in the past then you would not mark the box. This is a very important step to ensure that Lobbyist and Principal accounts will be properly linked to any records on file.

3. Choose from the drop-down for which the account is being created - Lobbyist or Principal. If you act as both a Lobbyist and Principal, you can mark “Both”. (This will link a single account for the Lobbyist and Principal to share.)

4. Select the Lobbyist or Principal name from the drop-down. If the name is not listed, check to make sure an account was not previously created. If it is a completely new name, type in the name. (If you need to make a change to the Lobbyist name, you may do so on the Form A, A-R, or when you file a Form B, B-B, D, E, or F. To change a Principal name, this can be done when filing a Form C, C-C, or in the “Settings”. See “Change Contact or Account Information”.)

6. Username can be up to 30 characters, letters and numbers only, but cannot start with a number and cannot use any spaces. The username must be unique/different and not already in use.

7. Password can be up to 30 characters. (The same password can be used for more than one account or for both the Lobbyist and Principal accounts, but the username must be different and not already in use.)

8. Email Address can be up to 64 characters and a valid email format. (The same email address can be used for more than one account.)

9. Security Questions and Answers can be up to 64 characters. Choose a question from the drop-down list and then type in your answer.

10. Mark that you certify all information is accurate.

11. You can choose the option to have email reminders for deadlines sent to you. You may opt out at any time.

12. Mark the box that says, “I’m not a robot”.

13. You may want to print this page now and keep this information for future reference. Be sure to keep track of your username and password for accessing your account.

14. When finished, click “Create Account” at the bottom of the screen. You will now be able to sign in using your username and password. You will use your same account for any time you use the online lobby system.

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Change Contact or Account Information

• To change a Lobbyist address, phone number, or name, this may be done by amending the Form A, A-R, or when you file a Form B, B-B, D, E, or F.

• To change a Principal address or phone number, this can be done when filing or amending a Form A, A-R, C, C-C, or E.  

• To change a Principal name, this can be done when filing a Form C, C-C, original Form A, or in the Principal’s “Settings”.  

• To change a password, email address, or security questions/answers associated with an account, these changes can be made in the “Settings” in the upper right of the screen.

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Amending Forms

1. Sign into your account.
2. Choose the form on the left that you need to amend.

• If you want to amend Form A-R, you will need go into Form A which is automatically filled in with the information from your A-R.
• To amend a registration form before it is paid for, you can go into the “Pay Fees” section in the upper left of the screen and click on the pencil icon to the right of the pending registration you wish to amend and make your changes as needed.

3. Fill in the year of the report you need to change.
4. Mark the quarter (if applicable).
5. Mark the "Amended…" box.
6. Select the Principal (if you have more than one or unless you are amending Form C).
7. Fix what you need.
8. Mark the box that you certify all information is accurate.
9. Sign the form with your name and account password.
10. Click on “Submit”.

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Form A - Registration or Form A-R - Registration Renewal

A Lobbyist must register for each Principal for whom they are working on behalf of. Use either “Form A - Registration” or “Form A-R - Registration Renewal” depending on which pertains to your situation. Registrations automatically expire December 31st of every year and need to be renewed in order to continue lobbying.

Form A - Registration

You will need to fill out “Form A - Registration” if you are registering to lobby for a Principal for the first time or if you did not renew your registration before it expired December 31st of the year for which you were registered.

1. Sign into your Lobbyist account.
2. Choose “Form A - Registration” on the left side.
3. Fill in the year for which you are registering.
4. Mark whether you are compensated or not compensated. (If you are a salaried employee of your Principal, you are a compensated Lobbyist.)
5. The Lobbyist name and address will automatically populate. If you need to make any changes to the Lobbyist name or address, you can do so now.
6. Choose the Principal from the drop-down list. The Principal will appear in the drop-down list as long as the Principal has an account created and the accounts have been properly linked. (If you need to change a Principal address you can do so now. To make changes to a Principal name, this can be done when filing a Form C, C-C, or in the settings when logged into the Principal account.)
7. Continue to fill out the form accordingly. (Note: For the “AMOUNTS GIVEN” section - if a compensated Lobbyist enters any value that does not include a number greater than zero for the basis of their compensation - per month, per year, etc. - they will not be able to submit the Form A - unless they are employed with the Principal, then they can select “Percentage of salary”.)
8. When complete, mark the box that you certify all information is accurate.
9. Sign the form with your name and account password.
10. Click on “Continue” and you can proceed to pay the registration fee and complete the registration process.

Form A-R - Registration Renewal

You can use “Form A-R - Registration Renewal” only if you are renewing a registration that has not expired. Form A-R along with registration payment is due by December 31st. You can renew several Principals on a Form A-R or you can submit more than one Form A-R.

1. Sign into your Lobbyist account.
2. Select “Form A-R - Registration Renewal” on the left.
3. Choose a Principal.
4. Enter the amounts given. (Note: For the “AMOUNTS GIVEN” section - if a compensated Lobbyist enters any value that does not include a number greater than zero for the basis of their compensation - per month, per year, etc. - they will not be able to submit the Form A-R - unless they are employed with the Principal, then they can select “Percentage of salary”.)
5. Click “Add” and the Principal will be listed on the form.
6. If you wish to add another Principal, click the plus “+” button and the pop-up above will open and you can select another Principal. To remove a Principal, you can click on the minus “-“ button.
7. When complete, mark the box that you certify all information is accurate.
8. Sign the form with your name and account password.
9. Click on “Continue” and you can proceed to pay the registration fee and complete the registration process.

(Note that once a Form A-R is submitted, it is automatically split into separate registrations for each Principal and these can be amended individually in the “Pay Fees” section if needed.)

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Paying Registration Fee(s)

Once you have completed your Form A or A-R online, any registration fees can be paid using a credit card online or by submitting a check to the Clerk of the Legislature’s Office.

• If paying by credit card, the Lobbyist or Principal (depending on who is paying the registration fee) will need to sign into their account and click on “Pay Fees” in the upper left of the screen. Accepted cards are Visa, MasterCard, and Discover.

• If paying by check, it will need be processed through the Clerk of the Legislature’s Office. Checks should be made payable to the “State of Nebraska” and submitted to:

Clerk of the Legislature

Lobby Registration

State Capitol, Room 2014

PO Box 94604

Lincoln, NE 68509-4604

Note: Your registration will become effective on the date in which both the registration is completed online and the check is received - whichever is later.  (This becomes particularly important when using Form A-R to renew a registration that expires December 31st.)

• If you need to amend a registration form before it is paid for, you can go into the “Pay Fees” section in the upper left of the screen and click on the pencil icon to the right of the pending registration you wish to amend.

• If you have more than one registration, you can pay for all your registrations at one time in the “Pay Fees” section by marking the box beside each registration you wish to pay for and then click on “Make Payment”.

• Once you have paid, a receipt will be emailed to you. You can also view your payment history by clicking on “Receipts” in the upper left of the screen.

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Form B - Lobbyist Expense Quarterly Report

All Lobbyists who are not exempt must file a “Form B - Lobbyist Expense” every quarter for each Principal they represent. These are due within 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter.

1. Sign into your Lobbyist account.
2. Choose “Form B - Lobbyist Expense” on the left side.
3. Fill in the year the report applies to.
4. Mark the quarter for which the report is for.
5. Select the Principal from the drop-down list.
6. Fill out the rest of the form accordingly. (If needed, you can save the form to work on later by clicking on the “Save Form” button. To access the saved form, click on the type of form on the left that you want to pull up and you can use the “Load Saved Form” button that appears in the upper part of the screen or select the session, quarter, and principal and it will load the saved form for you.)
7. When complete, mark the box that you certify all information is accurate.
8. Sign the form with your name and account password.
9. Click on “Submit”.
10. You will receive a message letting you know the form was filed successfully.

Note:  It is a good idea to make sure your form has been filed. Click on “View Filed Forms” on the left side or navigate to www.nebraskalegislature.gov and choose “For Lobbyists” on the left side. Select “View Lobbyist and Principal Reports” and you can look up filings according to Lobbyist or Principal depending on the report you want to view.

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Form C - Principal Expense Quarterly Report

Principals who are not exempt must file a “Form C - Principal Expense” every quarter. Only one Form C can be submitted for each Principal. Make sure that amounts of all Lobbyists associated with the Principal are included if there is more than one Lobbyist representing the Principal. These are due within 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter.

1. Sign into the Principal account.
2. Choose “Form C - Principal Expense” on the left side.
3. Fill in the year the report applies to.
4. Mark the quarter for which the report is for.
5. The names of registered Lobbyists that pertain to the quarter report that is being filed will automatically be populated.
6. Fill out the rest of the form accordingly. (If needed, you can save the form to work on later by clicking on the “Save Form” button. To access the saved form, click on the type of form on the left that you want to pull up and you can use the “Load Saved Form” button that appears in the upper part of the screen or select the session, quarter, and principal and it will load the saved form for you.)
7. When complete, mark the box that you certify all information is accurate.
8. Sign the form with the Principal name and account password.
9. Click on “Submit”.
10. You will receive a message letting you know the form was filed successfully.  

Note:  It is a good idea to make sure your form has been filed. Click on “View Filed Forms” on the left side or navigate to www.nebraskalegislature.gov and choose “For Lobbyists” on the left side. Select “View Lobbyist and Principal Reports” and you can look up filings according to Lobbyist or Principal depending on the report you want to view.

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Form D - Statement of Activity

• All Lobbyists must file a “Form D - Statement of Activity” within 45 days after the end of session for each Principal they represent.
• “Activity” means legislation upon which the Lobbyist acted on behalf of a Principal. This includes identification by number of any bill, resolution, amendment, etc. and the position taken.
• You can edit/add/delete your activities in the activity manager throughout the duration of session.  

1. Sign into your account.

• If you had activity, click on “Edit Activities” in the upper part of the screen. (This will need to be filled out before you can submit your Form D.)
• If you had no activity, skip to step 5.

2. Select the Principal.
3. Enter in your activity information. You need to type “LB” or “LR” with the number. The one-liner will update automatically. You should list your final disposition only for legislation - support, oppose, or neutral.
4. Click the “+ Add” button or press “Enter” to save each bill. Bills will appear in correct numerical order when the Form D is submitted. (“Export to CSV” means it will put all your activity information into a spreadsheet.)

• To copy activities to other accounts:

a) You need to be logged in to whom you want to copy FROM.  

b) Go into “Edit Activities”.

c) Select whose Form D you wish to copy FROM or select “All”.  

d) Click on the "Copy Activities" button.

e) You will need to choose whom you want to copy TO and enter the username and

    password for them.

 f) Click on “Find User” and you should see a list of all Lobbyists or Principals

    relating to that account. Choose which or all that you wish to copy to and the  

    activities will be transferred.  

5. When you are ready to submit your Form D, click on “Form D - Statement of Activity”.
6. Fill in the year the report is for.
7. Select the Principal and this will fill in your activity information if you have any.

• If you had no activity for the session, on Form D you can check the box “No formal position(s) taken” and the following statement will appear on your online form: “No formal position(s) taken.”

8. When complete, mark the box that you certify all information is accurate.
9. Sign the form with your name and account password.
10. Click on “Submit”.
11. You will receive a message letting you know the form was filed successfully.

Note:  It is a good idea to make sure your form has been filed. Click on “View Filed Forms” on the left side or navigate to www.nebraskalegislature.gov and choose “For Lobbyists” on the left side. Select “View Lobbyist and Principal Reports” and you can look up filings according to Lobbyist or Principal depending on the report you want to view.

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Form E - Exemption from Quarterly Reports (for non-compensated lobbyists)

If you are not compensated and do not expect to receive any lobbying receipts or make any lobbying expenditures, you can be exempt from filing quarterly expense reports by filing a “Form E - Exemption Statement”. (You will still need to complete a “Form D - Statement of Activity” after session.)

Once your registration is submitted and the fee is paid, you will have access to the Form E. 

1. While signed into your account, choose “Form E - Exemption Statement” on the left side.
2. Fill in the year.
3. Select the Principal.
4. Mark the description that applies to your situation.
5. When complete, mark the box that you certify all information is accurate.
6. Sign the form with your name and account password.
7. Click on “Submit”.

The “Form E - Exemption Statement” does not have to be filed each year and will carry over as long as the registration is renewed before it expires at the end of the year.

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Form F - Termination of Registration

If you need to terminate a registration before it automatically expires at the end of the year, you can file a “Form F - Termination Statement”.

1. Sign into your account.
2. Choose “Form F - Termination Statement” on the left side.
3. Fill in the year.
4. Select the Principal.
5. Mark the description that applies to your situation.
6. When complete, mark the box that you certify all information is accurate.
7. Sign the form with your name and account password.
8. Click on “Submit”.

Make sure you also file any necessary reports such as the Form D - Statement of Activity if you have not already and if you are terminating in the middle of a quarter, you may need to submit an expense report for that quarter as well.

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Questions - If you have any questions, you can contact the Lobby Clerk at lobby@leg.ne.gov or (402) 471-2608.

1/4/2017