The latest version of House Speaker David Ralston’s legislation would prevent lobbyists from paying the airfare of public officials when they travel to events.
Lobbyists could still cover other travel expenses, lodging and food and beverage costs under the proposal. While state officials could travel with staff, they could not bring family members other than a spouse.
The plan exempts volunteers who lobby for free from filing required lobbyist financial disclosure statements so long as they have not spent money to influence officials over the past year and do not plan to in the coming year.
Failure to file a lobbyist spending report can result in hefty fines.
“If they start making expenditures, then certainly they have to start going ahead and making the regular reporting like others do,” said Rep. Rich Golick, R-Smyrna.
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