The purpose of motion S6M-20942 is to agree the terms of the Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016 (Modifications) Resolution 2026.

The resolution has been referred to this Committee in accordance with rule 3C.2.7 of Standing Orders.

It is for this Committee to determine whether the attention of the Parliament should be drawn to any issue which would constitute a reporting ground in terms of Rule 10.3, as if the provision set out within the motion were set out in an instrument.

The Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016 (“2016 Act”) established the registration system for regulated lobbying and created the Lobbying Register, which is managed by the Clerk of the Scottish Parliament. It also sets out the register's required content and the Clerk's responsibilities, including recording specified identity information for each registrant, and details both the identity information and additional information that must be included in the register.

This Resolution would amend the 2016 Act as regards the information to be contained in the register.

The purpose of this Lobbying Resolution Motion is to approve the terms of the Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016 (Modifications) Resolution 2026.

The Resolution is to be made under the power in section 15 of the 2016 Act. This is a power for the Scottish Parliament, by resolution, to make provision about the Lobbying Register. This Resolution would amend the 2016 Act as regards the information to be contained in the register.  The amendments are as follows:

• Paragraph 2 of the Resolution amends section 5, which specifies the list of information that the register must contain about the identity of each person who engages in regulated lobbying.  It would add to this list the person’s email address and, where available, a telephone number. The type of email address required depends on whether the registrant is an individual, company, partnership or other person. However, where the person is not an individual, the email address must be one at which emails from the Clerk would normally be expected to come to the attention of someone acting for the person.

• Paragraph 3 amends section 7 to allow a registrant to provide extra optional information for the register. The additional information may include details about any person the registrant has appointed to oversee compliance with the requirements of the 2016 Act.

• Paragraph 4 amends section 11 to make a consequential amendment. 

The resolution states that the Scottish Government has been consulted on the terms of the resolution. That is a statutory requirement by virtue of section 48(1) of the 2016 Act.