Lobbyists may advertise themselves as hosts on fundraising invitations–but that doesn’t mean they’re reported officially as “bundlers” of campaign contributions, reports a fascinating analysis by the AP today, relying on Party Time data.

AP found that the lobbyists on at least 195 congressional fundraising invitations were not disclosed as “bundlers.” The events took place between March 19 and June, the first time period covered by new Federal Election Commission (FEC) rules that required new reports by candidates of fundraisers who collect contributions on their behalf.

The article cites two examples from our Party Time database. There’s this party, hosted by lobbyists Stan Skocki and Michael Rose, whose clients include American Airlines and Verizon Wireless. The event benefited Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA), vice chairman of the House Rules Committee.

There’s also this party, hosted by lobbyists Wayne Berman, Ron Kaufman and Bill Simmons, for Sen. Robert Bennett of Utah, the top Republican on the Senate Rules Committee and a member of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee and the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

The story has a lot of good background on the nitty gritty of the bundling rules, which are easy to get around. “When it comes to disclosing lobbyist fundraising for lawmakers,” notes the piece,  “there are so many loopholes that it basically amounts to an honor system.”

Congress passed the new bundling rules in response to the scandals surrounding influence peddling by Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff. You can read it here.