Target spent $1.49 million on lobbying in Q1

New York City Target Corp. spent $1.4 million on lobbying in the first quarter, focusing on legislation involving credit-card reform, organized crime, clean air and other matters, according to a recent disclosure report.

That was much higher than the $250,000 Target spent a year earlier or the $530,000 it spent in 2009's fourth quarter.

The retailer also lobbied on clean air and health care in January through March, according to the report it filed April 20 with the House clerk's office.

Among of the highest-profile issues that Target monitored was the Credit CARD act, which is meant to give credit-card users more information and stop policies that many consider abusive. The bulk of the law --which focuses on "credit card accountability, responsibility and disclosure" -- took effect in February.

Target, which sold 47% of its credit card receivables to JPMorgan Chase in May 2008, has tightened its credit-card underwriting standards to reduce risk.