Bill Text: DE HJR4 | 2011-2012 | 146th General Assembly | Draft

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Bill Title: Establishing A Study Commission On Lobbyist Ethics.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 16-2-1)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2011-06-23 - Passed by House of Representatives. Votes: Passed 41 YES 0 NO 0 NOT VOTING 0 ABSENT 0 VACANT [HJR4 Detail]

Download: Delaware-2011-HJR4-Draft.html

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SPONSOR:	Rep. Kowalko & Rep. Gilligan & Sen. Peterson
	Reps. Bolden, George, Jaques, J. Johnson, Q. Johnson, Heffernan, Keeley, Lavelle, Osienski, Schwartzkopf, Scott, B. Short, Walker, D.E. Williams; Sens. Sokola, Sorenson

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

146th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 4

ESTABLISHING A STUDY COMMISSION ON LOBBYIST ETHICS.

WHEREAS, the State Public Integrity Commission (the "Commission") administers and implements Delaware's ethics laws to assure the people of this State that the operations of the government are free from improper influence and the appearance of improper influence; and

WHEREAS, the Commission has the authority to regulate not only officials and public employees, but also persons who lobby on behalf of private sector interests; and

WHEREAS, while officials and employees are subject to an extensive code of ethical conduct under the Code of Conduct, regulated lobbyists are generally subject only to quarterly financial reporting requirements, administered by the Commission; and

WHEREAS, since Delaware's enactment of its laws regulating lobbyists, the business of lobbying has grown enormously, with a substantial increase in the number of regulated lobbyists, their compensation, and their impact on the legislative process and the functioning of the executive branch; and

WHEREAS, the people of Delaware have a right to be assured that the practice of lobbying is carried out in a way that enhances the public welfare and does not subject our government to improper influence or create the appearance of improper influence;

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED, by the House of Representatives and the Senate of the 146th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, with the approval of the Governor, that:

(a) There is a Study Commission on Lobbyist Ethics (the "Study Commission").

(b) The Study Commission shall consist of the following 13 members:

1. Four individuals appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, including:

i.At least two members of the Senate of Delaware;

ii.At least one regulated lobbyist; and

iii.If necessary to fill the four appointments allowed to the President Pro Tempore of the Senate under this paragraph, one additional individual;

2. Four individuals appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, including:

i.At least two members of the House of Representatives;

ii.At least one regulated lobbyist; and

iii.If necessary to fill the four appointments allowed to the Speaker of the House under this paragraph, one additional individual; and

3. Five individuals appointed by the Governor, including:

i.At least one member of the State Public Integrity Commission;

ii.At least one regulated lobbyist; and

iii.If necessary to fill the five appointments allowed to the Governor under this paragraph, up to three additional individuals.

(c) The chairperson of the Study Commission shall be designated jointly by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(d) The State Public Integrity Commission shall provide staff for the Study Commission.

(e) The Study Commission shall:

1. Examine Delaware's ethics laws as they relate to regulated lobbyists;

2. Collect information about lobbying practices and standards of ethics for regulated lobbyists, including provisions of law relating to the regulation of lobbyists enacted by other jurisdictions;

3. Receive testimony, as the Study Commission considers appropriate;

4. Formulate a Code of Conduct for Lobbyists;

5. Propose any appropriate statutory changes pertaining to regulated lobbyists; and

6. Reports its findings to the Governor and to the General Assembly not later than December 31, 2012.

(f)The Study Commission shall terminate its existence after December 31, 2012; and be it further

RESOLVED, that a suitable prepared copy of this resolution be delivered to the Governor of the State of Delaware, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate of Delaware, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Delaware.

SYNOPSIS

This joint resolution establishes a Study Commission on Lobbyist Ethics to examine Delaware's ethics laws as they relate to regulated lobbyists.The 13-member Study Commission includes (i) four individuals appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, (ii) four individuals appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and (iii) five individuals appointed by the Governor.The Study Commission shall report is findings to the Governor and to the General Assembly no later than December 31, 2012, after which the Study Commission shall terminate its existence.