House Speaker David Ralston spoke to members of the media on Tuesday, Jan. 29, as he unveiled his long-awaited plan for ethics reform, which includes a total ban on lobbyist gifts to lawmakers and broadens the definition of a lobbyist.
House speaker David Ralston says tweaks to the ethics legislation he's proposing this session will be unveiled this week after concerns arose that ordinary citizens could have to register as lobbyists.
Ralston says it was never his intent to prevent constituents from expressing their opinions about a bill to their local representative or senator.
But a provision in his bill could require anyone who lobbies for legislation to register as a lobbyist, pay a $320 fee, and file reports if they speak to more than just their personal legislators.
“Constituents of ours who come down to visit with us on issues shouldn’t have to register... nurses, teachers, others who come down here to advocate on their issues,” he says.
The bill also bans all gifts from lobbyists to any state or locally elected official and restores power to the state ethics commission.
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