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HR 4938 108th Congress House

Stealth Lobbyist Disclosure Act of 2004

Official title: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require disclosure of lobbying activities by certain organizations.

Introduced: July 22, 2004 Introduced by: Doggett, Lloyd Democratic · Texas See on congress.gov
Government Operations and Politics Associations, institutions, etc.CommerceElectronic government informationFees
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Government paperworkGovernment publicityLawLiability (Law)LobbyingScience, Technology, CommunicationsTax penaltiesTax-exempt organizationsTaxationTrade associations
This bill died when the 108th Congress ended
It never became law before the 108th Congress (2003–2004) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 22, 2004
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Jul 22, 2004
Introduced in House
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 Latest action July 22, 2004

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Stealth Lobbyist Disclosure Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat as a tax-exempt political organization for purposes of the disclosure and other requirements applicable to such organizations (with certain modifications) any coalition or association that is identified as a client on any registration filed under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 and that is not a political organization.

Requires any such coalition or association to notify the Secretary of the Treasury of: (1) its existence within 72 hours after one of its lobbyists makes an initial contact; and (2) any change in membership within 72 hours. Requires such notice to include a general description of the business or activities of each member of the coalition or association and the amount reasonably expected to be contributed by each member toward coalition or association activities of influencing legislation. Imposes a penalty tax for failure to give required notices.

Exempts from the disclosure requirements imposed by this Act: (1) public charities and other tax-exempt organizations which have substantial exempt activities other than lobbying; and (2) members of a coalition or association who contribute less than $2,000 per year for lobbying activities.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 4938: Stealth Lobbyist Disclosure Act of 2004. 108th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-4938/
MLA
"H.R. 4938: Stealth Lobbyist Disclosure Act of 2004." 108th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-4938/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 4938, 108th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-4938/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 4938: Stealth Lobbyist Disclosure Act of 2004](https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-4938/)
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