More than 300 lobbyists have registered so far for the upcoming legislative session, and Secretary of State Al Jaeger expects that number to jump once the session starts Tuesday.

Jaeger reported that about 344 lobbyists have registered with his office so far, which is barely more than half of the total amount who registered by the end of the 2003 session. Because registering as a lobbyist is easy, Jaeger said, many people don't register until the session begins.

The 344 lobbyists registered so far represent 544 organizations. Many lobbyists represent only one organization, but some represent as many as 18. At the end of 2003, there were 634 lobbyists representing 974 organizations.

Lobbyists are seen as an important part of the process because they provide legislators with information on complex issues.

"They are as important as legislators themselves," Sen. Ed Kringstad, R-Bismarck, said.

Sen. Ralph Kilzer, R-Bismarck, said legislators regard lobbyists as honest in North Dakota because, if they aren't, they won't last long.

"If they do anything shady, they lose their credibility real fast," Kilzer said.

Lobbyists aren't allowed to influence legislators with money or expensive gifts, but Jaeger said they are allowed to give nominal items to legislators, such as food, flowers, pens and pencils.

Any gift or meal worth more than $50 has to be reported, Jaeger said.

Jaeger said the main purpose of requiring lobbyists to register is for public record.

"It does become a public record as to who is attempting to influence the Legislature," Jaeger said.

The names of the lobbyists are even published in Senate and House journals at the end of the session.

Anyone who speaks on behalf of other people has to register as a lobbyist.

It's a Class B misdemeanor to lobby without being registered, but Jaeger said a warning will be given before the matter is referred to the attorney general.

Names of lobbyists and the organizations they represent are available online at http://www.state.nd.us/sec/lobbylegislate.

The list of registered lobbyists is updated on the Web site daily during the Legislature.

(Reach reporter Tom Rafferty at 223-8482 or tom.rafferty@bismarcktribune.com.)