(1) a person who engages in lobbying solely by testifying before committees of the General Assembly and agencies, departments, divisions, offices, boards, and commissions of State government and providing information requested by legislators or administrative officials;

(2) a duly-elected or appointed official or employee of the United States, the State of Vermont, or of any instrumentality, agency, or governmental subdivision of the foregoing, when acting solely in connection with matters relating to the person's office or public duties. However, if one of the foregoing individuals or entities contracts with a lobbyist, that person or entity, as well as that lobbyist, shall comply with the provisions of this chapter;

(3) the government of the United States, of the State of Vermont, or of any instrumentality, agency, or political subdivision of the foregoing;

(4) a person who owns, publishes, or is employed by any news medium while engaged solely in the acquisition or dissemination of news on behalf of the news medium. (Added 1989, No. 160 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 30, 1990; amended 2005, No. 99 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 2007.)