It’s the second to last day of legislative session and activity at the Capitol is reaching a fever pitch.
Lawmakers in the House and Senate are still trying to work out their differences on a major ethics bill (House Bill 142) aiming to rein in lobbyist spending.
Leaders from both sides reiterated their positions Tuesday.
“The $100 gift cap that we adopted by rule has clearly worked and it’s clearly reduced the amount of lobbyist spending,” said Senate President Pro Tem David Shafer (R-Duluth). “I think it would be a good policy for the state but we’re committed to working in good faith with the leadership of the House.”
But many in House leadership are still intent on a total gift ban, with some exceptions.
“It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me that $99 [from] someone buying me dinner [means] I’m a very ethical legislator but at $101 I’m suddenly taking a bribe,” said House Majority Whip Ed Lindsey (R-Buckhead), who called the $100 cap arbitrary.
Nonetheless, both lawmakers say they’re confident a compromise bill will get passed by the end of session.
Not everyone is convinced. Some of the most vocal proponents for ethics reform say the two sides still appear far apart.
During an afternoon press conference, Debbie Dooley of the Atlanta Tea Party grew teary-eyed when discussing the flaws of the House version, which includes a provision that requires all citizens who regularly advocate at the Capitol, whether they’re paid or unpaid, to register as lobbyists.
Dooley is strongly opposed to the provision, calling it undemocratic.
“Don’t target grassroots activists and Tea Party activists throughout this state,” said Dooley. “This vote is pivotal. It will follow [lawmakers] no matter where they go. We will not forget this. By god, the line is in the sand. We’re not going to forget.”
Members of the conference committee on HB 142 are House Majority Leader Larry O’Neal (R-Bonaire), Rep. Rich Golick (R-Vinings), Rep. John Meadows (R-Calhoun), Sen. President Pro Tem Shafer, Sen. Majority Leader Ronnie Chance (R-Tyrone), and Sen. Jeff Mullis (R-Chickamauga).
Meanwhile, a hotly-debated gun bill also remains in conference committee.
Senate Bill 101 would expand gun-carry areas to parts of college campuses, some government buildings, and allow churches to decide whether guns are allowed on their property. The measure would also ease the path to obtain a gun license for people who have ever voluntarily checked themselves into mental health treatment.
Shafer is optimistic the House and Senate will reconcile their differences on a final bill.
“I think we’re committed to passing something that’s common sense and that protects the Second Amendment rights of Georgians,” said Shafer.
Members of the conference committee on SB 101 are Rep. Rick Jasperse (R-Jasper), Rep. Jay Powell (R-Camilla), Rep. Meadows, Sen. Frank Ginn (R-Danielsville), Sen. Barry Loudermilk (R-Cassville), and Sen. Majority Whip Cecil Staton (R-Macon).
In other legislative activity, the Senate passed a bill that would make it easier for foreign workers to obtain a Georgia driver’s license. Supporters say it will make the state more business-friendly.
And earlier in the day, Gov. Nathan Deal expressed support for an amendment made to House Bill 264 seeking to ban abortion coverage in state health insurance plans.
“Within the context of the state employees’ health benefit plan, this should be an auxiliary benefit that’s paid for separately. That’s the effort that was undertaken in the Senate…and I support that,” said Deal.
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