The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Administrative action." Any of the following:
"Affiliated political action committee." As follows:
"Agency." An agency, board, commission, authority or department of the executive department of the Commonwealth.
"Attorney at law." An individual admitted to practice law by a court of record of this Commonwealth.
"Authorized representative, employee or agent." An individual designated by a principal or lobbying firm to accept notices issued by the department or commission in accordance with this chapter.
"Bidder." As defined in 62 Pa.C.S. § 103 (relating to definitions).
"Board." The Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.
"Commission." The State Ethics Commission.
"Compensation." Anything of value, including benefits, received or to be received from a principal by one acting as a lobbyist.
"Contractor." As defined in 62 Pa.C.S. § 103 (relating to definitions).
"Department." The Department of State of the Commonwealth.
"Direct communication." An effort, whether written, oral or by any other medium, made by a lobbyist or principal, directed to a State official or employee, the purpose or foreseeable effect of which is to influence legislative action or administrative action. The term may include personnel expenses and office expenses.
"Economic consideration." Anything of value offered or received. The term includes compensation and reimbursement for expenses.
"Fund." The Lobbying Disclosure Fund established in section 13A10(b) (relating to registration fees; fund established; system; regulations).
"Gift." Anything which is received without consideration of equal or greater value. The term shall not include a political contribution otherwise reportable as required by law or a commercially reasonable loan made in the ordinary course of business. The term shall not include hospitality, transportation or lodging.
"Hospitality." Includes all of the following:
"Immediate family." An individual's spouse, child, parent, brother, sister and like relative-in-law.
"Indirect communication." An effort, whether written, oral or by any other medium, to encourage others, including the general public, to take action, the purpose or foreseeable effect of which is to directly influence legislative action or administrative action.
"Legislation." Bills, resolutions, amendments and nominations pending or proposed in either the Senate or the House of Representatives. The term includes any other matter which may become the subject of action by either chamber of the General Assembly.
"Legislative action." An action taken by a State official or employee involving the preparation, research, drafting, introduction, consideration, modification, amendment, approval, passage, enactment, tabling, postponement, defeat or rejection of:
"Lobbying." An effort to influence legislative action or administrative action in this Commonwealth. The term includes:
"Lobbying firm." An entity that engages in lobbying for economic consideration on behalf of a principal other than the entity itself.
"Lobbyist." Any individual, association, corporation, partnership, business trust or other entity that engages in lobbying on behalf of a principal for economic consideration. The term includes an attorney at law while engaged in lobbying.
"Offeror." As defined in 62 Pa.C.S. § 103 (relating to definitions).
"Office expense." An expenditure for an office, equipment or supplies, utilized for lobbying.
"Personnel expense." An expenditure for salaries or other forms of compensation, benefits, vehicle allowances, bonuses and reimbursable expenses paid to lobbyists, lobbying staff, research and monitoring staff, consultants, publications and public relations staff, technical staff, clerical and administrative support staff and includes individuals who engage in lobbying but are exempt from reporting under section 13A06 (relating to exemption from registration and reporting). For an individual for whom lobbying is incidental to regular employment, the term means a good faith prorated estimate based on the value of the time devoted to lobbying.
"Principal." An individual, association, corporation, partnership, business trust or other entity:
"Registrant." A registered lobbyist, registered lobbying firm or registered principal.
"Regulation." Any rule, regulation or order in the nature of a rule or regulation, including formal and informal opinions of the Attorney General, of general application and future effect, promulgated by an agency under statutory authority in the administration of a statute administered by or relating to the agency or prescribing the practice or procedure before the agency.
"Reporting period." Any of the following periods:
"State budget process." The consideration and passage of acts relating to expenditures of funds and the generation of revenues by the General Assembly.
"Statement of policy." The term includes a guideline.
"State official or employee." An individual elected or appointed to a position in State government or employed by State government, whether compensated or uncompensated, who is involved in legislative action or administrative action.
"Vendor." Any offeror, bidder or contractor that, for economic consideration, sells or provides a service or supply or engages in construction. The term does not include an attorney at law, a lobbyist or a lobbying firm.
65 Pa.C.S. § 13A03