A Bill to Regulate Interest Management ("Lobbying") is introduced in Congress
On 28 May 2026, the National Executive Branch submitted to the Chamber of Deputies the bill entitled "Transparency and Publicity of Interest Management", an initiative that seeks to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework to regulate the activities of interest representation before the national public authorities.
The proposal is one of the most relevant attempts to institutionalise lobbying activities in Argentina, currently partially regulated by Decree No. 1172/2003, applicable to the National Executive Branch.
Main aspects of the project
1. Creation of a Public Register of Interest Managers
The project foresees the creation of a public, free and digital registry in which human and legal persons who carry out interest management activities before officials of the Executive Branch or members of the National Legislative Branch must be compulsorily registered.
Among other data, the obliged parties must inform:
- The identity of the principal.
- Whether the activity is remunerated or free of charge.
- Whether they represent national or foreign interests.
- The bodies and officials contacted.
- The purpose of the steps taken.
- The final beneficiary of the intervention.
They must also submit periodic reports on the activities carried out.
2. Register of public officials
The initiative also contemplates the creation of a Public Register of Interest Management for public officials and authorities, including the President and Vice-President of the Nation, ministers, national legislators and advisors.
They will have to report contacts with interest managers and the issues discussed in such meetings.
3. Restrictions for former officials
The bill establishes a cooling-off period of two years for former public officials, who may not act as interest managers before the bodies where they served or in relation to matters in which they were directly involved.
4. Sanctions regime
The proposal incorporates a system of administrative sanctions for interest managers who fail to comply with registration or reporting obligations, including warnings, fines and disqualifications.
In addition, it provides for criminal sanctions for cases of clandestine interest management, with prison sentences of between six months and two years for those who carry out lobbying activities without being duly registered.
Comparative background
The bill has similarities with the current regime in the United States, particularly with the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, which requires registration and periodic reporting by those who engage in professional lobbying activities. It also incorporates certain post-employment restrictions that are also observed in that system.
At the regional level, Chile has had a specific regulation in place since 2014 that focuses on the transparency obligations of public officials, including the disclosure of meetings, travel financed by third parties and donations received.
Preliminary considerations
The initiative represents a significant step towards the institutionalisation and transparency of interest representation activities in Argentina. Nevertheless, various experts have pointed out aspects that could be improved, particularly in the areas of legislative transparency, agenda disclosure, registration of gifts and control of benefits received by public officials.
If approved, the law would have a direct impact on companies, chambers of commerce, civil associations, consulting firms, professional firms and other organisations that regularly interact with public bodies or participate in policy and regulatory formulation processes.
From a compliance and public affairs perspective, the draft reinforces the international trend towards greater traceability, transparency and accountability in the interaction between the public sector and private actors.
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