Overview

• 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.