Prince George's County is taking significant steps to enhance its ethics regulations following a recent meeting of the Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee. The committee discussed a proposed bill aimed at extending the post-employment restrictions for former council members from one year to two years, preventing them from lobbying on matters they previously participated in while in office.

The Office of Ethics and Accountability (OEA) has indicated that it will monitor these new prohibitions, which will require additional oversight for an extended period after council members leave their positions. The OEA confirmed that it has the resources to manage these changes and provided a statement affirming that the proposed legislation aligns with existing public ethics laws.

Council Member Fisher, who sponsored the bill, emphasized the need for stronger ethical standards to maintain public trust in local governance. She expressed concerns about the close-knit nature of the council, arguing that a one-year ban on lobbying is insufficient given the intimate working relationships among council members. Fisher is considering amendments to clarify the language regarding what constitutes "substantial participation" in legislative matters, a term she believes needs more precise definition to avoid ambiguity.

The committee also heard from legal counsel regarding the implications of the bill, particularly concerning the registration of former council members as lobbyists. While the bill does not explicitly mention lobbying, it was clarified that engaging in compensated advocacy on legislative matters would indeed require registration.

The discussion highlighted a broader commitment to ethical governance in Prince George's County, especially in light of national conversations about ethics in politics. The committee plans to revisit the bill in their next meeting, allowing time for further amendments and input from all council members.

As the county moves forward with these proposed changes, the focus remains on ensuring transparency and accountability among its elected officials, reinforcing the importance of ethical conduct in public service.