From Posse Herrera Ruiz.
Last July 24, 2024, Bill 038 of 2024, “Whereby the exercise of lobbying is regulated, the Public Registry is created and the decision-making process in the public sector is guaranteed†was presented to Congress. This bill seeks to regulate lobbying with respect to the decision-making process of the executive and legislative branches.
Within the provisions of the project, lobbying is defined as the activity developed by individuals and legal entities, which aims to promote and influence legitimate interests and objectives in the decision-making process of public authorities. It is intended to ensure that lobbying is carried out in a professional, ethical and transparent manner, respecting the principles and guidelines established in the Constitution and the laws of Colombia.
Thus, it seeks to establish equality, transparency and integrity as guiding principles for this activity, to ensure that all interested parties have equal access to information. Based on these principles, the bill seeks to require clear and timely disclosure of lobbying activities and promotes ethical conduct among public officials and lobbyists. These principles are fundamental to prevent undue influence on the decision making of public officials and to ensure that the lobbying process is aligned with the nation’s legal and ethical standards.
