Lobby Electronic Filing
Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the registration fee for 2007?

For calendar year 2007, the registration fee is $500 for most registrants, and the fee for electronic payment is $11.75.  For registrants who represent only organizations exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4), Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the registration fee for 2007 is $100, and the fee for electronic payment is $2.75.

2. How do I pay the lobby registration fee if I file electronically?

If you choose to file your lobby registration on-line, you must pay the registration fee on-line with a credit card (American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or Visa) or electronic check. If you choose to file your lobby registration by submitting a CD or diskette, you may pay by check or money order.

3. Will I get a receipt for an on-line payment?

You will receive a confirmation of payment from ePay and be able to print a copy of the confirmation.

4. Can I pay a late-filing penalty on-line?

No. To pay a late-filing penalty, you must submit a check or money order.

5. Is there a Macintosh version of the software?

No. You must have a computer with a Windows-based operating system to use the software.

6. Can I print a copy of my report?

You can print a copy of a report at any time. From the main menu of the software, click on the button labeled "Preview a Document." (You must have Acrobat Reader installed on your computer to preview a report.) After clicking on "Preview a Document," the report will appear on the screen. After verifying that it is the report you want to print, click on "Print" at the top of the page. After you print the report, close the window by clicking on the "X" in the top right-hand corner of the page.

7. How do I get a filing password?

The Ethics Commission has provided passwords to filers who registered for 2003 or 2004. Other filers may obtain a password by submitting Form LOBBY PASS to the Ethics Commission

8. What do I do if I forget my password?

Form LOBBY PASS allows you to provide a secret question and answer to the Ethics Commission. The commission will provide your password to you over the telephone, as long as you can answer the secret question that you submitted on Form LOBBY PASS.

If the Ethics Commission provided a password to you because you had been registered in the past, you may wish to complete Form LOBBY PASS so that you have a secret question and answer on file with the Ethics Commission.

9. Can I change the password assigned by the Ethics Commission?

This feature is not yet available, but eventually it will be possible to change your password on the Ethics Commission's website.

10. How will I know if the Ethics Commission has received a filing?

When you submit a filing, you can choose to receive a confirmation either by fax or by e-mail. Also, please check the Lobby Reports page of our website, Lobby Lists.

11. How do I find out what is the latest version of the software?

Check our website's Lobby Software Information page, to find out what is the latest version of the software.

12. How do I find out what version of the software I am using?

Click on the About menu at the top of the Lobby software. Look for the version of the software. If you do not see the About menu, exit the Lobby software and restart it.

13. How do I update the software to the latest version available?

Software updates are done through the Lobby software. Click on the Tools menu at the top, then select 'Update Software'. You must be connected to the internet for the update to download and install.

Last Revision: February 8, 2007