HB153 Alabama 2010 Session

This bill would substantially revise and reorganize existing law contained in Chapter 25 of Title 36, the Alabama Code of Ethics. Certain provisions of existing law would be moved, clarified, and revised in nine new articles as follows: General Provisions; State Ethics Commission; Complaints and Investigations; Misuse of Official Position; Gifts, Meals, Travel, etc.; Conflicting Financial Interests; Financial Disclosures; Lobbyists, Principals, and Others Interested in Government Action; and Violations – Reporting and Penalties

This bill would clarify and revise the definitions of certain terms and add new terms and definitions

This bill would amend the procedures for appointment and confirmation of members of the State Ethics Commission and provide for: A guaranteed minimum level of annual appropriations; electronic filing of and Internet public access to statements, reports, notices, and other filings required by the chapter; revised standards and procedures for acting on complaints and authorizing a formal investigation; subpoena power for the commission; new procedures for post-investigation referral and status reports by the Attorney General or district attorney; revised rules concerning the solicitation and acceptance of gifts, meals, travel or reimbursement for travel expenses, and other things of value by public officials and public employees; required registration of lobbyists who influence or attempt to influence Executive Department agencies and personnel and the awarding of grants or contracts; mandatory disclosure by public officials and public employees of their contractual arrangements, or those of their family or business, with entities that receive public funds, including government departments, agencies, boards, commissions, and institutions; and mandatory quarterly reporting by registered lobbyists of all things of value provided to and all financial transactions with public officials, public employees, and the members of their household

To amend Sections 36-25-1 and 36-25-2 of the Code of Alabama 1975; to amend and renumber Sections 36-25-3, 36-25-4, 36-25-5, 36-25-6, 36-25-7, 36-25-9, 36-25-10, 36-25-11, 36-25-13, 36-25-14, 36-25-15, 36-25-16, 36-25-17, 36-25-18, 36-25-19, 36-25-20, 36-25-21, 36-25-22, 36-25-23, 36-25-24, 36-25-26, 36-25-27, 36-25-29, and 36-25-30 of the Code of Alabama 1975; to add Sections 36-25-5, 36-25-11, 36-25-12, 36-25-14, 36-25-15, 36-25-16, 36-25-20, 36-25-21, 36-25-22, 36-25-23, 36-25-24, 36-25-25, 36-25-26, 36-25-31, 36-25-32, 36-25-40, 36-25-42, 36-25-43, and 36-25-83 to the Code of Alabama 1975; to repeal Sections 36-25-8 and 36-25-28 of the Code of Alabama 1975; to substantially revise and reorganize existing law contained in Chapter of 25 of Title 36, the Alabama Code of Ethics; to move, clarify, and revise certain provisions of existing law; to clarify and revise the definitions of certain terms and add new terms and definitions; to further revise the legislative findings and declarations and purposes of the chapter; to amend the procedures for appointment and confirmation of members of the State Ethics Commission and provide for: A guaranteed minimum level of annual appropriations, electronic filing of and Internet public access to statements, reports, notices, and other filings required by the chapter, revised standards and procedures for acting on complaints and authorizing a formal investigation, subpoena power for the commission, new procedures for post-investigation referral and status reports by the Attorney General or district attorney, revised rules concerning the solicitation and acceptance of gifts, meals, travel or reimbursement for travel expenses, and other things of value by public officials and public employees, require registration of lobbyists who influence or attempt to influence Executive Department agencies and personnel and the awarding of grants or contracts, mandatory disclosure by public officials and public employees of their contractual arrangements, or those of their family or business, with entities that receive public funds, including government departments, agencies, boards, commissions, and institutions, and mandatory quarterly reporting by registered lobbyists of all things of value provided to and all financial transactions with public officials, public employees, and the members of their household.