Lobbying & Ethics Reform Beyond the Beltway

In the wake of recent scandals involving lobbyists and members of Congress, lobbying and ethics reform has taken center stage in the nation’s capital.  Both chambers of Congress are debating measures seeking to limit the influence of lobbyists that some say is detrimental to the democratic process.  Scandals involving legislators, however, are not isolated to the nation’s capital.  Ethics reform has extended outside of Washington to state capitals throughout the country.  In this session alone, state legislators introduced close to 200 bills dealing with gift bans, disclosure filings, lobbyist-funded trips, and “revolving door” or “cooling off” periods for retiring legislators and former staff.

Although most measures either died with adjournment or are still being debated, a few bills have been enacted:

• Iowa
  Explicitly empowers the state Ethics & Campaign Disclosure Board to promulgate rules for the reporting of gifts and to investigate complaints of executive branch officials, employees, lobbyists, and candidates for statewide office.
  
  
• Maine
  Requires the Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices to maintain a registration list of lobbyists and their clients or employers.
  
  
• Tennessee
  Enacts the “Comprehensive Governmental Ethics Reform Act of 2006.” Creates a six-person Ethics Commission, with subpoena power. Places jurisdiction over lobbyists and conflict of interest disclosures in the new ethics commission. Prohibits cash contributions to candidates and political action committees (PACs) in excess of $50. Limits the total contributions a person can make to all candidates and PACs to $101,400 per election cycle.  Requires legislators to disclose conflicts of interest. Strengthens registration requirements for lobbyists.  Prohibits lobbying contingency fees.  Prohibits legislators and executive branch, cabinet member, or cabinet level staff within the governor's office from lobbying within 12 months of leaving office. Restricts lobbyists from offering or making campaign contributions to the governor, legislators, and candidates for those offices. Restricts gifts from lobbyists to government officials.
  
  
• Virginia
  Broadens and clarifies conflict of interest and financial reporting requirements for state officials.

Overall, approximately six states debated legislation strengthening conflicts of interest requirements, fifteen considered bills restricting gifts to legislators, and seven attempted to put limits in place to slow the “revolving door.” 

Although many of the legislative proposals died or are stalled, it appears that the issue of reform will continue next year.

For more information about lobbying and ethics-related legislation, visit: www.ncsl.org/programs/ethics/ethicsBills.cfm. [ return to top ]