House Committee Tightens Lobbyist Bill Before Tuesday's Vote
By: Stephen Crews
Updated: December 13, 2010
For Governor Bob Riley, Senate Bill fourteen was the toughest reform
bill in the Anti-Corruption package, but for others, it was biting off
more than they could chew.
When considering Sen. Bryan Taylor’s proposed ethics code overhaul on Friday night, the Alabama Senate voted to substitute the bill, prohibiting lobbyists from spending anything to entertain legislators, but they left a loophole.
"My concern was that we left the door open for people who are not lobbyists but still try to influence the government,” said Senator Bryan Taylor (R), Senate District 30.
Taylor, who sponsored the bill, wanted to make sure that it stayed true to its original intent.
"The most important part was that we turn the system we have today on its head and making sure lobbyists can’t give a dime, and that others who try to influence politics have strict limits,” said Taylor.
And that's exactly what the House Committee on Ethics made sure of Monday.
"I think we made the bill stronger, and I think it has a better way of passing the way it is,” said Representative Jay Love (R), House District 74.
It now places a $100 a year limit on the people lobbyists represent and keeps the amount a lobbyist can spend on a legislator to zero.
Tuesday, it will go to the full House for a vote.
The House Committee on Ethics also passed Senate bills to end pay-roll deductions for political groups, end double dipping, and give subpoena power to the Alabama Ethics Commission.
When considering Sen. Bryan Taylor’s proposed ethics code overhaul on Friday night, the Alabama Senate voted to substitute the bill, prohibiting lobbyists from spending anything to entertain legislators, but they left a loophole.
"My concern was that we left the door open for people who are not lobbyists but still try to influence the government,” said Senator Bryan Taylor (R), Senate District 30.
Taylor, who sponsored the bill, wanted to make sure that it stayed true to its original intent.
"The most important part was that we turn the system we have today on its head and making sure lobbyists can’t give a dime, and that others who try to influence politics have strict limits,” said Taylor.
And that's exactly what the House Committee on Ethics made sure of Monday.
"I think we made the bill stronger, and I think it has a better way of passing the way it is,” said Representative Jay Love (R), House District 74.
It now places a $100 a year limit on the people lobbyists represent and keeps the amount a lobbyist can spend on a legislator to zero.
Tuesday, it will go to the full House for a vote.
The House Committee on Ethics also passed Senate bills to end pay-roll deductions for political groups, end double dipping, and give subpoena power to the Alabama Ethics Commission.
