Lobbying in California Surges to Record Levels Amid Budget Challenges

The number of registered lobbyists has nearly tripled over 25 years, driven by regulatory complexity and economic pressures in the state’s $3.5 trillion economy.

• California now has 3,245 registered lobbyists, a nearly threefold increase since the late 1990s, reflecting the growing complexity of its legislative and regulatory systems.
• A 2011-12 law requiring placement agents to register added over 1,100 lobbyists, highlighting the impact of stricter regulations following the CalPERS corruption scandal.
• Even without placement agents, the number of lobbyists has grown by over 65% in the past 25 years, alongside an increase in lobbying firms from 433 to 484 in the last decade.
• Lobbying activity intensifies during economic downturns, with current efforts focused on influencing decisions about California's $300 billion state budget and regulatory policies.
• Key regulatory decisions, such as those by the Public Utilities Commission and the Department of Insurance, underscore the critical role of lobbyists in navigating California's expansive economy.

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