(a) A person required to register or report as a lobbyist or as a person who employs, retains, or contracts for the services of a lobbyist shall preserve all accounts, bills, receipts, books, papers, and documents necessary to substantiate the reports required to be made and filed under this chapter for a period of at least six years from the date of the filing of the report containing these items. These accounts, bills, receipts, books, papers, and other documents shall be made available for inspection by the commission, or members of its staff, at any time. If a lobbyist is required under the terms of the lobbyist's employment contract to turn any records over to the employer, responsibility for the preservation of these records under this section rests with the employer.
(b) The commission shall preserve the statements and reports required to be filed under this chapter for a period of six years from the date of filing. If the commission's central office is not in the state capital, copies of all statements and reports filed under this chapter shall be maintained in an office established by the commission in the state capital or in the office of the lieutenant governor.