Read comments on the un-ethics bill

Senate passes bill on ethics reform
Oklahoma Insider, May 25, 2007
Jennifer Mock

Key changes

• Limits the exemption for gratuities provided at conferences to items available to all registrants; exempts items under $10 from the definition of "anything of value"
• Requires contributor statements to state that the contribution is for a campaign in Oklahoma
• Prohibits making or accepting contributions in the state Capitol building, and provides for return of contributions delivered in the mail to an address in the Capitol
• Allows candidates to have only one active candidate committee at any time
• Requires out-of-state committees and persons to make independent expenditures and electioneering communications from a segregated account which contains only contributions made in compliance with Oklahoma law
• Requires itemization of contributors making contributions over $200 (rather than $50) for out-of-state and federal committees
• Requires registered committees to report last-minute independent expenditures, and requires other persons to file the same report for all independent expenditures
• Limits honoraria in the form of cash, checks or cash equivalents for elective officers
• Requires the Ethics Commission to conduct annual ethics training for members of the Legislature

Bipartisan ethics reform agreement reached

A bipartisan ethics reform agreement was reached Thursday among legislative leaders and the governor, completing a delicate session-long negotiation toward more openness in government.

The bill passed the Senate late Thursday without opposition and passed the House with a vote of 97-1 before being sent to the governor. House Republican members cut off debate of the bill said to make government more transparent.

House Speaker Lance Cargill called the bill historic.

"Oklahomans deserve a state government that is open and accountable," said Cargill, R-Harrah.

Rep. Richard Morrissette, who has been critical of Cargill and his fundraising tactics, called House Bill 2110 "the compromise of the year." Though the bill does not ban political contributions during the legislative session or forbid legislative leaders from heading political fundraising committees  two ideas floated by Morrissette  he said the bill is a compromise involving all leaders from both parties.

"We didn't get all of what we wanted, but we got some of what we wanted, and that is the way the game is played up here," said Morrissette, D-Oklahoma City. "This is more than I thought we'd get."

The bill differs from the original legislation in several areas. When Cargill initially introduced the ethics reform plan, the bill included monthly reporting requirements for candidates. Under the legislation passed Thursday, candidates will continue with quarterly reports.

The initial bill also had required lobbyists to disclose the origin of the checks they often bundle together and deliver in the form of a campaign contribution. That change was excluded from the new bill.

Other changes remained, including a requirement for lawmakers to have annual ethics training and a prohibition on contributions in the state Capitol. Cargill initially introduced the legislation in February, the same week some criticized him for meeting with lobbyists off-site to raise money for several political action committees.

The legislation also requires further disclosure for out-of-state organizations that contribute to Oklahoma campaigns.

Those committees must contribute out of a segregated account just for Oklahoma races, according to the legislation.