House Elections Committee

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Observed by Sue Storm

SB394-Final Action: On March 12, this bill was initially heard in the House Elections Committee. It involves a number of changes in the laws regarding the definition of lobbyist and their reporting requirements. (Summarized earlier in the observation report for March 12; see below.) As the bill passed the Senate, the cap on value of gifts and meals was set at $100, instead of the old cap of $40 which had been in place for a number of years. Rep. Burris offered an amendment to change the $100 to $75 in every instance. Substitute amendment offered to change the $75 to $40, the current language in the law. Amendment passed unanimously.

Rep. Parker offered an amendment to fold the language from HB 2155 into SB394. HB 2155 prohibits an elected official from becoming a lobbyist for one year after leaving office. (Most states have some time limit on becoming a lobbyist after leaving office. In several cases, it’s more than one year.) Considerable debate followed, with most comments being in opposition. Finally, the amendment failed 7–5.

SB394 passed unanimously, as amended.

This committee will not be meeting during Easter week. Conference committees will meet, some committees will have regular meetings, but most of the time will be spent on the floor.