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Senate adopts conference report on bill banning contract lobbyists; some senators cite technical problems
Summary
The Senate adopted the conference committee report and passed a first substitute of Senate Bill 187, which would prohibit state departments and entities from employing contract lobbyists; some senators on the floor raised technical problems but sponsors said language was clarified in conference.
The Senate received a House communication and conference committee report on first substitute Senate Bill 187, which would prohibit state departments and entities from employing contract lobbyists. Conference committee chairs reported the amended report and recommended adoption.
Floor action and debate: Senators moved to adopt the conference report. Senator Allen, who said he had been on the conference committee that first heard the matter, said the bill had "serious technical problems" and recommended voting no; Senator Evans responded that the committee had corrected language and clarified definitions in subsequent conference action. The Senate called the question and conducted roll call votes on the first substitute.
Vote and outcome: Roll call and floor statements record that the first substitute of Senate Bill 187 passed; the transcript records a passage with 24 votes recorded as aye, 3 nays and 2 absent; the bill will be referred to the House for the speaker's signature.
Implications and next steps: The transcript shows senators asked technical follow-up questions about definitions and that proponents said the language had been clarified; committee staff or the sponsor said further corrections would be made in the conference process if needed. The Senate referred the matter per usual enrollment and transmittal procedures.
