Lobbying FAQs

Any attempt to influence items such as the following:

• The passage or defeat of any legislation or resolution by either house of the state legislature including but not limited to the introduction or intended introduction of such legislation or resolution or approval or disapproval of any legislation by the governor
• The adoption, issuance, rescission, modification or terms of a gubernatorial executive order
• The adoption or rejection of any rule or regulation having the force and effect of law by a state agency
• The outcome of any rate making proceeding by a state agency
• The passage or defeat of any local law, ordinance, resolution, or regulation by any municipality or subdivision thereof
• The adoption, issuance, rescission, modification or terms of an executive order issued by the chief executive officer of a municipality

• The governor, lieutenant governor, comptroller or attorney general
• Members of the state legislature
• State officers and employees including:
  • Heads of state departments and their deputies and assistants
  • Officers and employees of statewide elected officials
  • Officers and employees of state departments, boards, bureaus, divisions, commissions, councils or other state agencies
  • Members or directors of public authorities, other than multi-state authorities, public benefit corporations and commissions at least one of whose members is appointed by the governor, and employees of such authorities, corporations and commissions
  • Officers and employees of the legislature
  • Municipal officers and employees

To ensure that Fisher remains in compliance with the Lobbying Act, discuss your plans to invite a public official to campus with the Office of Government Affairs.

Anything more than nominal value given to a public official in any form including, but not limited money, service, loan, travel, lodging, meals refreshments, entertainment, discount forbearance, or promise having a monetary value. No individual who is authorized to lobby on behalf of Fisher shall offer or give a gift to any public official.

A relationship in which compensation is paid by Fisher in exchange for any goods, services or anything of value, the total value of which is in excess of $1,000 annually, to be performed or provided by or intended to be performed or provided by a statewide elected official, state officer, state employee (including SUNY and SUNY faculty). If you are aware of a Reportable Business Relationship, contact the Office of Government Affairs immediately.

A reportable expense is any expenditure incurred for the purpose of lobbying. Reportable expenses include, but are not limited to, expenses related to the following:

• Advertising
• Telephone
• Electronic advocacy
• Food
• Beverages
• Tickets
• Entertainment
• Parties
• Receptions or similar events
• Advocacy rallies
• Consultant services
• Courier services
• Expense for non-lobbying support staff, and courier services when said expenses are part of a lobbying effort
• Salaries and fringe benefits paid to administrative staff supporting lobbying activities
• Salaries and fringe benefits of individuals engaged in lobbying activities

All individuals engaged in direct or indirect lobbying must retain all of their receipts for and/or records of lobbying expenses on file for a period of three years.

In cases where it is not possible for you to determine the exact dollar amount or value of expenses relating to the printing, reproduction, or mailing of letters, memoranda, or other written communications (for example, when such printing or reproduction was produced in-house), good faith estimates of such costs may be used. Records in support of such estimates should be retained.

Use activity codes LOBBYF and LOBBYS to track your reportable expenses in Banner.

When lobbying as a private individual, it is important that you refrain from using Fisher resources to support your activities (e.g. email, phone, work hours, etc.). You are allowed to reveal your job title, but you must clearly indicate that you are not representing Fisher. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Government Affairs.