Under the law, a lobbyist is defined as someone who "undertakes to influence any legislative or administrative action" by city officials, employees and the City Council or its committees. A person does not have to be paid by a company or a party to be considered a lobbyist, they just have to try to influence city officials on behalf of another individual or entity. Exempt from having to register as a lobbyist are individuals acting on their own behalf, acting on behalf of a company that is a sole proprietorship or representing a nonprofit organization that does not have any for-profit members.