Lobbyist, legislator reforms

The General Assembly’s attempt to make changes to how lobbyists operate is moving through the legislature right now. HB 1001 puts more restrictions on who can register as lobbyists and when, as well as reduces the minimum reportable amount of money and gifts legislators can accept. The bill also restricts the governor and legislators from soliciting campaign contributions, accepting money, or conducting other fundraising activities during the long session of the General Assembly and close to Organization Day.

Rep. Pat Bauer, who authored the bill, has said that the state needs to have a balance on ethics reform that covers lobbyists, the legislature, and the executive branch.

Is this legislation needed? If it passes, will it really make a difference or will lobbyists and legislators find loopholes and circumvent it?