[Comments on H.R. 257]

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO commented on H.R. 257, a bill which provides for the disclosure of lobbying activities to Congress. GAO has repeatedly recognized the need for strengthening the lobbying disclosure law; however, it is concerned about two aspects of the bill: (1) the designation of the Comptroller General as the official responsible for the administration of the bill; and (2) its failure to provide the investigatory powers necessary to ensure compliance with the law. GAO believes that an additional responsibility to administer the lobbying law would hamper GAO reporting efforts and divert its limited resources to a regulatory function far removed from its principal role. However, if Congress designates GAO as the responsible administering agency, the Comptroller General would need authority beyond that provided by the bill. GAO believes that the bill should be amended to: (1) provide the federal official responsible for administering the law with clear responsibility and adequate investigatory powers to ensure compliance; (2) ensure compliance with the requirements of the act by requiring persons subject to the act to maintain clear and unequivocal access to records; (3) impose civil penalties for failure to comply with the disclosure requirements; and (4) give the administering agency civil enforcement authority, including the authority to litigate.