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Lobbyist Disclosure Law Set as Senate Priority
HARRISBURG -- The
new Lobbying Accountability Act will be introduced as Senate Bill 1, a clear
indication of the importance attached to it, according to the sponsor, Senator
Robert C. Jubelirer.
“We really need to get a solid,
workable, and enforceable law in place, so that Pennsylvanians get a clear and
comprehensive picture of the lobbying activity taking place, around the clock,
throughout the year. In the universe of items labeled as good government,
lobbying disclosure is a star piece. It is fundamental to the public interest
and to public confidence in our process,” Jubelirer stated.
“Lobbying is big business in
Pennsylvania, and it is getting larger each year. The public deserves to see
who all the players are, how much they are spending, and where their efforts are
being directed. With high-impact, high-pressure issues ranging from health care
to taxes to gambling being extensively debated, it is unsatisfactory that not a
shred of information has to be revealed in regard to the lobbying efforts aimed
at two-thirds of the legislative process,” he said.
“Given the bipartisan support
this measure has in the Senate, it can be approved early and easily. But that
is far short of the finish line. It is past time for the Governor to show some
interest in this reform and put effort into its passage. Reform measures gain a
lot of imperative and momentum when there is a signature assured at the end of
the process,” Jubelirer noted.
The Senate adopted a rule in
January 2003 and again in January 2005 that requires lobbyists to register and
report their spending as it relates to lobbying the Senate. This rule remains
the only lobbyist disclosure requirement in effect.
In compliance with the Senate
Rule, nearly $87 million in lobbyist spending was reported for calendar year
2003, and $64 million for the first half of 2004.
Under this proposal, reports
will be filed regularly with the Department of State. The state Ethics
Commission will conduct audits and undertake some investigations. The
Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court will receive information and conduct
investigations of matters involving lawyer/lobbyists. The state Attorney
General will provide high-level enforcement, in conjunction with the
Disciplinary Board.
With only slight changes,
the new measure resembles a bill introduced in 2004.
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