What’s new in Kentucky on the ethics and lobbying front? How about pay to play restrictions and lobbyist rules?
Kentucky’s Senate this week passed an ethics-reform bill aimed at preventing the cozy monetary relationship some state contractors and special-interest lobbyists could develop with some elected officials.
. . .
Lobbyists, meanwhile, would also face added restrictions. While they are currently limited to giving $25 in gifts annually to public officials, SB 82 would extend that limit to state agencies. In addition, lobbyist registration fees will change. Currently, a business that employs a lobbyist or multiple lobbyists pays a $125 flat fee. Under the new law, it would pay $125 per lobbyist, an increase that will help cover the costs of increased ethics oversight.