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Committee adopts amendment and recommends passage of lobbying restriction for elected public officials
Summary
The committee amended language and voted to recommend passage of Senate Bill 2052 as amended, clarifying the constitutional restriction into statute language that specifies a prohibition on being a lobbyist by elected public officials; the vote carried 8–6 with members debating First Amendment and practical enforcement issues.
The Government and Veterans Affairs Committee considered an amendment to Senate Bill 2052 that clarifies statutory language tied to the constitutional restriction on elected public officials serving as lobbyists. The amendment changed the section title or heading language to read "restriction on being a lobbyist by elected public officials" to mirror constitutional phrasing and avoid ambiguity.
Members debated the amendment and potential First Amendment concerns; several members and outside commenters noted the constitutional provision already imposes a two‑year post‑service restriction and the Legislature sets the sanctions. Legislative counsel explained that the criminal sanction and civil penalty are already in statute: a knowing violation can be classified as a class A misdemeanor and the Ethics Commission may assess a civil penalty up to $1,000.
Representative Vetter moved and the committee seconded a do‑pass recommendation as amended. On the roll call the motion passed 8‑6. Multiple members expressed discomfort about potential constitutional challenges but voted in favor of the clarified statutory language. The committee then adjourned the item.
