Sponsor(s): Rep. Paul DeMarco,
Rep. Greg Canfield,
Rep. Phil WilliamsSummary/Synopsis: HB 278 would revise the categories for reporting on the statement of economic interests; provide further for the appointment and confirmation of members of the Ethics Commission; allow four members of the commission to institute a complaint; broaden the definition of lobbying to include the executive branch; provide further for the definitions of family member of a public employee, personal gain, sphere of influence, and confidential information; provide for the filing of electronic reports with the commission, and require mandatory ethics training for public officials, public employees, and lobbyists.
This bill changes some definitions that improve clarity and adds “sphere of influence” to the definitions. It continues to permit a lobbyist to spend $250 per day on a legislator or other public official without disclosure. The bill revises the categories for reporting the statement of economic interests by changing the amounts included in income categories such as at least $50,000 [of income from all sources] and less than $100,000 [instead of $50,000 to
$150,000] and so on though $250,000.
(See Bill Progress for substitute.)
League Action and Justification: LWVAL supports HB 278. Bill Progress in the Legislature: 1st reading: 1/12/10 and assigned to
1/21/2010: 2nd reading and placed on calendar with 1 substitute (116907-1); pending 3rd read and favorable from Judiciary with 1 substitute.
Comment: It is a plus that the bill allows 4 of 5 commissioners to institute a complaint instead of requiring a unanimous vote of commissioners which the current law requires. HB 278 mandates ethics training for public officials, public employees, and lobbyists. It provides for the filing of electronic reports with the commission, the requirement that the Senate confirm or reject a nominee to the commission within the first 15 days of a legislative session or the nominee is “deemed accepted” is a measure which requires responsiveness and accountability.