Bill to extend post-service restrictions sparks constitutional and scope questions

Representative Anna Scharf, House District 23, introduced House Bill 2727 to the House Committee on Rules on Feb. 10, proposing that the existing post-legislative restriction on paid lobbying be broadened to bar "advocating on behalf of a public or private entity for changes in policy or funding" for one year after leaving office.

"Current law does not preclude a member from leaving office and going to work for a public entity within a year, a week, a month, or even a day, and then returning to the next session and lobbying for support," Representative Anna Scharf said, arguing the bill would level a perceived inequity between former legislators who go to work for private lobbyists and those who take public-sector jobs and then appear before the legislature.

Dexter Johnson, legislative counsel, cautioned the committee that expanding the ban from "lobbying for pay" to…