Lobbyist on board? Bill calls for ban

AJC:

But state ethics law doesn’t stop lobbyists from sitting on boards when their clients could have a direct interest in the boards’ actions.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has found at least a dozen registered lobbyists currently serving on state boards and commissions. They hold decision-making positions related to everything from the state’s technical college system to state investments to Jekyll Island development.

Now a movement is afoot at the Legislature to amend proposed ethics legislation, SB 17, to include a total ban on lobbyists serving on state boards. Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, the head of the Senate, supports a complete ban.

For years, ethics advocates have asked for stricter rules on lobbyists serving on boards. Some legislators proposed a complete ban during debate over Perdue’s ethics reform package in 2005, but the proposal was cut from the final legislation.

Some states forbid lobbyists from serving on state boards or commissions. President Barack Obama last year directed all federal departments and agencies not to appoint lobbyists to boards or commissions. Current lobbyists on boards are being allowed to serve out their terms.

In Georgia, Atlanta trial attorney Emmet Bondurant said having a lobbyist on a state board creates an inherent conflict of interest.

“People who are paid to lobby the state on a particular issue should not be sitting on boards and commissions,” he said. 

Posted via email from Jim Nichols for GA State House