Reference

• 45 C.F.R. Part 1608—Prohibited Political Activities
• 45 C.F.R. Part 1612—Restrictions on Lobbying and Certain Other Activities

Guidance

Memorandum

• Restrictions on Political Activities and Lobbying (Election-Year Reminder Memo) (June 27, 2024)

Social Media, Lobbying, and Political Activities

• Application of Restrictions on Political Activities and Lobbying to Use of Social Media by Grantees, Grantee Staff and Grantee Board Members (April 6, 2017)
  • Grantee Social Media Accounts and Websites
  • Personal Social Media Accounts of Grantee Employees
  • Prohibition on Use of Grantee Time or Resources for Personal Lobbying or Political Actions

Educating Legislators About Legal Aid Without Prohibited Lobbying

• Educating Legislators About Legal Aid by Carol Bergman, Vice President, Government Relations and Public Affairs, LSC (MIE Journal, Spring 2017)
  This article discusses permissible activities for LSC grantees to educated legislators about their work.  It includes examples and experiences written by Vicy Selkowe, Director of Legislative, Rulemaking, and Training Compliance at Legal Action of Wisconsin and by Colleen Cotter, Executive Director of the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland.

Lobbying Generally

• Advisory Opinion 2014-005—Part 1612 Lobbying Activities
  The restrictions at 45 C.F.R. § 1612.3 prohibit attempts to influence government decision-making through communications addressing actions the government should or should not take. The restrictions do not prohibit creating or distributing information about the impact and effects of actual or potential government actions, so long as that information does not advocate outcomes of government decision-making.
• Program Letter 13-5—Restrictions on Lobbying and Other Activities
  General guidance on the four categories of restricted lobbying activities.
• Advisory Opinion 2013-010—Management Information Exchange Journal Article/LSC Restrictions on Lobbying, Legislative and Administrative Activities
  Analysis of lobbying restrictions as applied to an article written by an LSC grantee advocating that LSC grantees support legislation for state Medicaid expansion.

Webinars

Educating Members of Congress About Civil Legal Aid Without Lobbying (March 8, 2017)

• See also, Educating Legislators About Legal Aid by Carol Bergman, Vice President, Government Relations and Public Affairs, LSC (MIE Journal, Spring 2017)
• Presentation Slides for the March 8, 2017 Webinar
• Video of the March 8, 2017 Webinar (1 hour) (audio plus slides)
• Written Questions and Answers from the March 8, 2017 Webinar
  • Educating members of Congress without lobbying
  • Personal political activities of staff or board members
  • Supporters questions
  • Sub-Grantees
  • Reporting violations

Discussing Your Program and Clients without Lobbying (April 12, 2017) 

• Video Recording of Webinar (there are no slides, only a cover image and the audio).
• Audio Only Recording of Webinar (there are no slides) 
  • Educating members of Congress without lobbying
  • Other lobbying and political activities to avoid
  • Activities by staff on their personal time
  • Board member activities