The semisovereign lobbyists: group density and lobbying regulations in the American states, 1990 – 2012

There is currently little evidence that total registrations of interest groups are correlated with broader statutory definitions of lobbyists or additional regulations of those registered. Theoretical explanations claim that slight variations in definitions cannot be expected to capture additional, latent groups and that regulations are poorly enforced. As states have enacted various definitions of lobbying activities and additional regulations on those registered, I focus on estimating the effects of such laws on registrations. I examine changes in registrations and lobbying laws over two decades with temporal measures of group density, statutory definitions, and lobbying regulations. Findings suggest that broader statutory definitions of lobbying and prohibited activities increase political transparency by encouraging additional groups to register. These findings call for a reconsideration of the effects of regulations on lobbyists and their clients.