FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
6/09/04
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LOBBYING ACCOUNTABILITY ACT INTRODUCED
WOULD SET STANDARDS FOR PUBLIC DISCLOSURE
A proposed lobby accountability bill would set reasonable and necessary
standards for public disclosure of lobbying activities in Harrisburg,
according to Senator John Pippy, 37th District.
The hoped-for replacement for a 1998 lobbyist disclosure law that was
narrowly overturned by the state courts is being introduced by Senate
President Pro Tempore Robert C. Jubelirer, who said the new version is
designed to be "practical, effective, and constitutional." It is termed
the Lobbying Accountability Act, because the essence is to compel a public
accounting of lobbying activity.
"This legislation would improve the public disclosure standards in
Harrisburg," Senator Pippy said. "The people have a right to know who is
lobbying, what they are spending to impact public policy, and the issues
at which those lobbying efforts are being directed. This is good policy
and a necessary step to maintain the public's confidence in the decisions
made by state lawmakers."
With the exception of some changes to address court concerns about
responsibility for oversight of lawyers, the bill provides a system that
closely resembles the approach contained in the 1998 law. The measure
requires lobbyists and principals to register every two years, and to
report their spending four times a year.
The state Supreme Court opened the door for a revised law by issuing an
order late last year indicating that lawyer/lobbyists could be required to
abide by properly drawn disclosure requirements. One of the key changes in
this proposal involves the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court in
receiving information and handling investigations pertaining to
lawyer/lobbyists. The Department of State will house the regular filings.
The state Ethics Commission will conduct audits and undertake some
investigations. The state Attorney General will provide high-level
enforcement, along with the Disciplinary Board.
"The need for a comprehensive law that encompasses all lobbyists, and
the public benefits resulting from substantial disclosure, are
indisputable points," said Senator Jubelirer. "Those who were instrumental
in approving the previous law committed that we would find a way to craft
a new law, which would provide equal standards of disclosure yet also
stand up under any potential court challenge. During the short time the
prior law was in effect, it provided a reliable and revealing look at the
universe of lobbyist spending."
The Senate adopted a rule in January 2003 to require lobbyists to
register and report spending for their activities relating to lobbying the
Senate. It is the only lobbyist disclosure requirement currently in
effect.
