Final answer:
Lobbyists are regulated through laws like the Lobbying Disclosure Act and the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act. They are required to register with the government and are restricted from engaging in certain activities. Violations of the law can result in penalties like fines or imprisonment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lobbyists are regulated through various laws and regulations at the federal and state levels. Some of the key regulations include the Lobbying Disclosure Act, the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act, and President Biden's Executive Order 13989.
These regulations define who can lobby, require lobbyists to register with the government, and impose restrictions on lobbying activities, such as prohibiting certain gifts to lawmakers and limiting campaign contributions. Lobbyists who violate the law can face penalties, including fines, bans from lobbying, or even imprisonment.