Compliance
How A Supreme Court Decision Changed Federal Public Corruption Prosecutions (Why State and Local Laws Matter)
January 7, 2026 | Ben Seitelman, Bradley Coffey
Key Takeaways:
- Lobbying compliance deadlines in January 2026 affect 41 states, 31 localities, the District of Columbia, U.S. Federal, and Canada Federal, making it a busy month for state lobbying disclosure reports.
- Some states, such as Georgia, Louisiana, and Ohio, may require multiple disclosure reports depending on the branch or level of government you lobby, so review your obligations carefully.
- Annual lobbyist registration renewal for 2026 is required in many jurisdictions, with registrations expiring in 26 states and 41 localities at the end of 2025; monitor renewal periods closely to avoid missing deadlines.
- Campaign finance filing deadlines also fall in January 2026 for 37 states, the FEC, and the District of Columbia, so political committees should confirm their reporting schedules and be aware of any special requirements for large contributions.
Lobbying Compliance Deadlines in January 2026
January is a busy month when it comes to lobbying disclosure deadlines. Reports are due in 41 states, 31 localities, the District of Columbia, U.S. Federal, and Canada Federal. See the map and table below to see all jurisdictions with deadlines in January.
Additionally, states like Georgia, Louisiana, and Ohio may require you to submit more than one disclosure report this month, depending on the level or branch of government you are registered to lobby. Note that Georgia’s branches, or lobbying types, are slightly different (State, State Agency, State Transportation Board, Vendor, and Local).
U.S. Localities with Disclosure Reports Due in January 2026
*The City of San Jose requires weekly disclosure reporting.
As a reminder, lobbying in a locality can trigger registration and reporting requirements at the state level as well. In states like New York, lobbying any locality or municipality will require a state registration and state bi-monthly disclosure reports, even if you do not lobby at the state level. Make sure if you lobby in New York that you are registered with the New York State Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (COELIG) to avoid hefty fines.
Expiring Registrations in December 2025
Lobbyist registrations expired in 26 states, 41 localities, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, and Ontario Canada at the end 2025. Renewals for 2026 primarily occur between December and January, so it's crucial to closely monitor your jurisdictions to avoid missing any critical deadlines. Check out the map and table below to see which states and localities had registrations expire on December 31, 2025.
Localities and Territories with Expiring Registrations
Campaign Finance Deadlines in January 2026
In January, 37 states have campaign finance disclosure deadlines, in addition to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and the District of Columbia. If a political committee is registered in one of these states and is required to file disclosure reports, they must do so in January. Check out the map below for the states with important deadlines this month.
Political committees should be aware of their filing schedules. Some jurisdictions (Texas, for example) give the option to report monthly or quarterly. Also, be aware that some states require a political committee to report large contributions within a set time frame of receipt. Political committees should review contributions carefully to ensure they do not miss a required contribution- or expenditure-triggered deadline.
Need Compliance Help? Get In Touch!
Keeping up with rules, deadlines, and often confusing requirements is a daunting prospect for teams of all sizes. Let us manage your federal, state, and local registration and reporting responsibilities, or manage your Campaign Finance program. Read more about our Compliance Services here, or get in touch here.
