SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 6225

  AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE, FEBRUARY 3, 1994

Brief Description:  Preventing conflict of interest by agency lobbyists.

SPONSORS: Senators Williams, Drew, Quigley and Sheldon

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6225 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. 

     Signed by Senators A. Smith, Chairman; Ludwig, Vice Chairman; Hargrove, Nelson, Quigley, Roach, Schow and Spanel.

Staff:  Dick Armstrong (786‑7460)

Hearing Dates: January 27, 1994; February 3, 1994

BACKGROUND:

Existing law allows state and local agencies to employ lobbyists for the purpose of informing state officials about official agency business.  Some agencies, particularly small agencies, hire lobbyists on a contract basis to represent the agency during the legislative session.  Contract lobbyists oftentimes have clients from both the public and private sector.

It has been suggested that lobbyists who represent public agencies should not also be representing clients from the private sector, because such situations can present conflict of interest.

SUMMARY:

The original bill was not considered.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

A lobbyist for a state agency must be an employee or officer of the agency.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

Sometimes agencies hire lobbyists who represent several private entities.  At the least, this presents the appearance of a conflict of interest.  The Legislature should prevent this from occurring.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Senator Williams (pro)