Private fund advisers that seek investments from public pension plans enter a minefield of federal, state and local rules, and those that think that compliance with the “pay to play” rules under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 affords sufficient protection may be sadly mistaken. States, municipalities and even individual government pension plans have a wide array of rules regarding lobbying, political contributions and gifts and entertainment. Further, sensitive information provided to public pension plans in the course of the investment management relationship may be subject to disclosure under public records and freedom of information (FOI) laws. A recent program presented by K&L Gates offered valuable insights into those state and local rules. The program featured Cary J. Meer and Ruth E. Delaney, partner and associate, respectively, at K&L Gates; and Eric J. Smith, managing director and deputy general counsel at PineBridge Investments. This article, the first in a two-part series, covers the portions of the program devoted to lobbyist regulation; political contributions; and gifts and entertainment. The second article will discuss state “sunshine” and FOI laws. For additional insight from Meer, see “How Hedge Fund Managers Can Prepare for SEC Remote Examinations (Part Two of Two)” (May 19, 2016); “Practical Guidance for Hedge Fund Managers on Raising Capital in Australia, the Middle East and Asia” (Oct. 30, 2014); and “Impact of CFTC Harmonization Rules on Alternative Mutual Funds and Other Registered Investment Companies” (Nov. 1, 2013).