Eric Bradner, Evansville Courier & Press
INDIANAPOLIS — State lawmakers gave final approval Tuesday to an overhaul of rules that regulate how lobbyists interact with government officials.
The package of ethics reforms now heads to the desk of Gov. Mitch Daniels, who indicated Tuesday he'll sign it into law. "I think it's going to be remembered as one of the best things that happened this session," Daniels said.
The legislation was sponsored by House Speaker Patrick Bauer, D-South Bend. An amended version of the bill was adopted in the Senate, and the House on Tuesday afternoon agreed to those changes on a unanimous 97-0 vote.
House Enrolled Act 1001 will:
Mandate a one-year waiting period before ex-lawmakers can become lobbyists.
Decrease the minimum value of gifts such as sports tickets that lobbyists must report to the Indiana Lobby Registration Commission from $100 to $50.
Expand the ban on fundraising during the General Assembly's long budget-writing sessions from only lawmakers to include all elected state officials and candidates.
Prohibit state officials from using their budgeted tax dollars to fund advertisements. An exception is included for the governor, when those advertisements are related to public health and safety.
Restrict out-of-state travel bills that lobbyists can pay for lawmakers.
Include university lobbyists among those required to abide by the lobbying regulations for the first time.
It does not include the "pay-to-play" provisions Bauer favored, which would have restricted campaign contributions by companies with state contracts. Still, Bauer called the legislation "the most comprehensive ethics reform plan in our state's history."
The ethics overhaul comes after a campaign on the editorial pages of 23 Indiana newspapers for the changes lawmakers endorsed and more.
The editorials, as well as good-government advocates, have asked for months for further changes. Julia Vaughn, a lobbyist for Common Cause/Indiana, has said all gifts should be reported, not just those worth more than $50.
House Minority Leader Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, said the move to pass ethics reform is notable because it was not motivated by a scandal.
"This is an important message to the public that we understand your concern, we've addressed it and it's a major accomplishment of this General Assembly," Bosma said.
"It has always struck me wrong that a legislator can be here one week voting on issues that are important to various interests, and a week later be on the other side of that glass getting paid a half-million dollars a year to work on the same issues," said Rep. Mike Murphy, R-Indianapolis.
He was referring to lobbyists who stand outside the House and Senate chambers while the General Assembly is in session.
Lawmakers are rushing to complete their work and adjourn by the end of this week. Here's a look at what else happened Tuesday:
Sen. Mike Delph, R-Carmel, dropped his efforts to mandate that schools start after Labor Day and end by June 10.
An overhaul of township government looked unlikely during a joint House-Senate conference committee hearing on the topic.
The Democratic-led House will agree to township-by-township referendums on whether to keep township trustees and advisory boards or transfer their duties to the county level. But the GOP-led Senate favors abolishing only the advisory boards and giving fiscal oversight duties to county councils.