California wants people to prove they are not lobbyists

California’s top political watchdog is championing a bid to crack down on lobbyists who fail to disclose their efforts to influence government officials.

The Fair Political Practices Commission is scheduled to consider a proposal Thursday supported by commission chairwoman Jodi Remke allowing state regulators to require suspected lobbyists to provide evidence showing whether they are paid to influence government officials.

Critics say the proposal would illegally require alleged unregistered lobbyists to prove their innocence.

Lobbyists are required to report how much they’re paid for communicating with government officials when the amount reaches $2,000 in a given month.

But Remke says many don’t and that stricter enforcement is needed to identify them.

People accused of being unregistered lobbyists would have to provide evidence their compensation was not used to influence public policy.