Completing the New LD-203 Form: Best Practices Compliance Checklist Before You Certify

Contacts If you would like more information, please contact any of the following McKenna Long & Aldridge attorneys or public policy advisors: Jeff Altman 202.496.7520 C. Randall Nuckolls 202.496.7176 Stefan Passantino 202.496.8450 Theodore Van Der Meid 202.496.7713

COMPLETING THE NEW LD-203 FORM:
BEST PRACTICES COMPLIANCE CHECKLIST BEFORE YOU CERTIFY

July 8, 2008
8:30-10:30 am
McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP
1900 K Street NW
Washington, DC 20006

For the first time ever, registrants under the Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) must also file a new semi-annual report (LD-203) on July 30, 2008. Please join us as McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP explains the new LD-203 form (that should be released any day), what information must be included, and the type of education and training program needed to ensure full compliance before you certify. We will also address Best Practices within your organization for record-keeping, proper reporting of lobbying activities and expenses, and the following subjects:

• What information is required on the LD-203?
• Are you prepared to certify on the LD-203 subject to HLOGA penalties and federal false statements statutes that your organization and all its employees understand and have complied with the new provisions of the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007?
• Have you implemented a compliance plan and training program that is sufficient to support your certification? Would a GAO auditor agree if your LD-203 compliance procedures were reviewed?
• Is your organization calculating accurately and completely your lobbying expenses for reporting on your next quarterly LD-2? Are you capturing all of the lobbying costs (including overhead and nonlobbyist employees) that should be reported? Are you using the correct Method for reporting? Are those calculations consistent with your calculation of lobbying expenses for federal tax purposes?
• Do you have time-keeping and expense forms that would be sufficient in the eyes of an auditor from the IRS, the GAO or a government contracting agency?
• Do you have all the information you will need to submit on your LD-203 about campaign contributions or expenditures made by your organization or listed lobbyists to honor cover officials? Where do you draw the line appropriate line in determining what expenses to include and what expenses are not reportable?

Come hear from the experts at McKenna Long & Aldridge as they explain the new LD-203 form (that should be released any day), what information must be included, and the type of education and training program needed to ensure full compliance before you certify. Hear McKenna experts talk about best practices within your organization for record-keeping and proper reporting of lobbying activities and expenses on your next LD-2 due July 30, 2008.

If you would like to register for the Lobbying Disclosure Act seminar, please email Tiffiany Jordan at tjordan@mckennalong.com.

For additional information, please feel free to contact any of the McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP attorneys listed above. Information about McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP’s Political Law Group, including a list of professionals practicing in this area, is located at http://www.mckennalong.com/politicallaw.