Committee advances lobbyist-reform bill after lengthy floor debate and amendments

The committee advanced the committee substitute for Senate Bill 745, a comprehensive lobbyist transparency and conduct measure, and voted to report the substitute as amended to the full Senate.

Committee members and counsel described a number of substantive changes made in subcommittee and on the floor. Counsel said the substitute would require searchable public disclosures by the Ethics Commission and apply eligibility and disclosure rules to persons who "walk like a lobbyist"—expanding definitions to capture consultants and contractors who perform lobbying functions. Counsel described reporting of compensation using five income "buckets" (ranges such as under $10,000; $10,000–$25,000; $25,000–$50,000; etc.) rather than requiring exact dollar figures, and said a lobbyist would not be required to report exact…