Tennessee Ethics Reform Update

I've jumped on my Mac to figure out what is going on in Nashville with ethics reform.

After three weeks of wrangling, the House version of the bill has had its teeth removed to allow for more unregistered lobbying and schmoozing of state legislators. The question is whether the original language of the toothless version will meet the approval of the Tennessee House and Senate.

In the House version of the reform bill, "volunteer" and "incidental" lobbyists would be exempt from registration and disclosure requirements under the house version of the sweeping ethics bill. Some say local businesses should not be hindered by registering lobbyists who want to meet with lobbyists occasionally. Others say that lowering restrictions for "incidental" lobbyists would create a loophole big enough to drive a truck through. Most everyone seem to agree that professional full-time lobbyists should have more restrictions in this state.

Local law: Registered Lobbyists in Nashville

WSMV: Lawmakers define exemptions for lobbyist disclosure

Jackson Sun: Balancing business of ethics

The Tennessean: Amendments to ethics bill at end of two weeks of special session

Kingsport Times-News: Legislators update chamber members on ethics reform