In July of 1990, then-President George H. W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which made it illegal to discriminate against those with a disability. The law was intended to create civil rights law protections for people with disabilities and allow them to be updated in terms of scientific and medical research and developments. The law which has received bipartisan support over the years is attracting new attention from the internet industry which is debating the lengths online companies have to go to comply with the law.
While ADA legislation is not heavily lobbied in comparison to legislation such as Trade Bills, Cybersecurity/Privacy, Farm Legislation and Transportation Issues, the new attention that the ADA is receiving could mean that potential changes to the bill will spark heavy lobbying.
The First Street Research Group takes a look at the five ADA related pieces of legislation in the 112th congress that is currently being lobbied.
Highlights:
- The American Hotel & Lodging Association is the only organization that lobbied all 5 ADA related pieces of legislation in 2012.
- The 10 organizations that lobbied on the 5 ADA bills in 2012 Q1 spent a total of $14 million on all of their lobbying activity.
- 31 lobbyists lobbied on the 5 ADA bills in Q1 2012 including 14 lobbyists that worked in Congress and 2 lobbyists that worked for the federal government.
- All 5 bills have been sponsored by a Republican Member.
H.R.4200: To amend the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to prohibit the Attorney General from administering or enforcing certain accessibility regulations relating to pools at public accommodations or provided by public entities
Purpose: To amend the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to prohibit the Attorney General from administering or enforcing certain accessibility regulations relating to pools at public accommodations or provided by public entities.
Sponsor(s): Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ)
Co-Sponsor(s): 19 (0D, 19R, 0I)
Lobbying activity:
- 7 people have lobbied during Q1 2012
- 3 lobbying organizations have lobbied during Q1 2012
- These organizations have spent $923,000 on lobbying during Q1 2012
| Client | Filing Quarter | Amount |
| National Multi Housing Council, Inc. | 2012 1Q | $443,000 |
| American Hotel & Lodging Association | 2012 1Q | $310,000 |
| Marriott International, Inc. | 2012 1Q | $170,000 |
S.2191: A bill to amend the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to prohibit the Attorney General from administering or enforcing certain accessibility regulations relating to pools at public accommodations or provided by public entities.
Purpose: A bill to amend the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to prohibit the Attorney General from administering or enforcing certain accessibility regulations relating to pools at public accommodations or provided by public entities.
Sponsor(s): Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC)
Co-Sponsor(s): 1 (0D, 1R, 0I)
Lobbying activity
- 8 people have lobbied during Q1 2012
- 2 lobbying organizations have lobbied during Q1 2012
- These organizations have spent $480,000 on lobbying during Q1 2012
| Client | Filing Quarter | Amount |
| American Hotel & Lodging Association | 2012 1Q | $310,000 |
| Marriott International, Inc. | 2012 1Q | $170,000 |
H.R.4256: Pool Safety and Accessibility for Everyone (Pool SAFE) Act
Purpose: To direct the Attorney General to revise certain rules under titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 relating to accessible means of entry to pools.
Sponsor(s): Rep. Mick Mulvaney (R-SC)
Co-Sponsor(s): 74 (3D, 71R, 0I)
Lobbying activity
- 10 people have lobbied during Q1 2012
- 2 lobbying organizations have lobbied during Q1 2012
- These organizations have spent $580,000 on lobbying during Q1 2012
| Client | Filing Quarter | Amount |
| American Hotel & Lodging Association | 2012 1Q | $310,000 |
| American Resort Development Assn | 2012 1Q | $270,000 |
H.R.3356: ACCESS (ADA Compliance for Customer Entry to Stores and Services) Act of 2011
Purpose: To amend the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to impose notice and a compliance opportunity to be provided before commencement of a private civil action.
Sponsor(s): Rep. Dan Lungren (R-CA)
Co-Sponsor(s): 14 (0D, 14R, 0I)
Lobbying activity
- 10 people have lobbied during Q1 2012
- 5 lobbying organizations have lobbied during Q1 2012
- These organizations have spent $1,103,200 on lobbying during Q1 2012
| Client | Filing Quarter | Amount |
| National Restaurant Association | 2012 1Q | $722,200 |
| American Hotel & Lodging Association | 2012 1Q | $310,000 |
| Building Owners and Managers Association International | 2012 1Q | $51,000 |
| Institute of Real Estate Management | 2012 1Q | $10,000 |
| CCIM Institute | 2012 1Q | $10,000 |
H.R.881: ADA Notification Act of 2011
Purpose: To amend title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to require a plaintiff to provide a defendant with an opportunity to correct a violation of such title voluntarily before the plaintiff may commence a civil action, and for other purposes.
Sponsor(s): Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA)
Co-Sponsor(s): 11 (1D, 10R, 0I)
Lobbying activity
- 17 people have lobbied during Q1 2012
- 4 lobbying organizations have lobbied during Q1 2012
- These organizations have spent $13,052,200 lobbying during Q1 2012
| Client | Filing Quarter | Amount |
| National Association of Realtors | 2012 1Q | $6,060,000 |
| U.S. Chamber Institute For Legal Reform | 2012 1Q | $5,960,000 |
| National Restaurant Association | 2012 1Q | $722,200 |
| American Hotel & Lodging Association | 2012 1Q | $310,000 |
