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Anyone who seeks to affect legislative action for a payment or as part of a job is required to register as a legislative lobbyist with the commission.

A lobbyist registration includes the lobbyist's name, address and phone number(s). The lobbyist report also lists the organizations, interests and companies for whom the lobbyist is lobbying -- called the principals.

There are several different types of lobbyists.

• An organization or company employee whose job includes activities that involve trying to influence legislative action. This type of lobbyist may rarely, if ever, actually show up in the statehouse. Lobbyists with just one client listed often are an employee or officer.
• A professional lobbyist. This is a person who contracts with one or more organizations and companies to provide lobbying services. It may be a contract to represent all of the principal's interests before the legislature or it may be a contract to pursue specific piece of legislation. Some lobbyists have dozens of clients.
• An attorney whose legal services for an organization or company may involve activities with the legislature.
• A government employee. Quite a few government agencies -- both local and state -- have employees whose jobs include trying to influence the legislature.