(a) Each registrant shall obtain and preserve all accounts, bills, receipts and other documents necessary to substantiate the financial reports required by § 1-96 for a period of three years from the date of the filing of the report referring to such financial matters, provided this section shall apply to each expenditure for the benefit of a public official of ten dollars or more and all other expenditures of fifty dollars or more.

(b) The Office of State Ethics may require, on a random basis, any registrant to make all such documents substantiating financial reports concerning lobbying activities on and after October 1, 1991, available for inspection and copying by the Office of State Ethics for the purpose of verifying such financial reports, provided no registrant shall be subject to such requirement more than one time during any three consecutive years. The Office of State Ethics shall select registrants to be audited by lot in a ceremony which shall be open to the public. Nothing in this subsection shall require a registrant to make any documents concerning nonlobbying activities available to the Office of State Ethics for inspection and copying.