STATEHOUSE (Feb. 25, 2010) - Indiana Senate lawmakers voted unanimously today for an ethics reform package sponsored by State Sen. Pat Miller (R-Indianapolis).

Passage of House Bill 1001, which was amended to mirror language in Senate Bill 114, marks what Miller calls “the most comprehensive ethics reform package in years.” The vote came on a key deadline. By today the House and Senate had to pass bills that originated in the opposite chamber in order for those bills to be sent back for consideration.

“Today, Senate lawmakers sent a message to Hoosiers that public trust is of great value, and accountability and transparency in state government is a top priority,” Miller said. “I look for the leaders in the House of Representatives to agree with the amended bill and send this measure to the governor for his consideration.”

Here are highlights of House Bill 1001 as amended in the Senate:

• Requires lawmakers to wait at least one year after leaving office before becoming lobbyists;
• Requires uniform reporting by all lobbyists;
• Reduces the threshold for reported one-time lobbyist expenses from $100 to $50 and reduces the annual total from $500 to $250;
• Expands state registration and reporting requirements to include the executive branch and university legislative lobbyists;
• Prohibits lobbyists from paying for out-of-state travel expenses for legislators;
• Requires the Lobby Registration Commission to publish more of its information on the Internet;
• Increases penalties from $10 per day to up to $100 per day for failure to file lobbyist registrations and reports in a timely manner. Increases the maximum penalty for failure to file lobbyist registration statements and activity reports from $100 to $4,500;
• Prohibits state candidates and office holders from political fundraising during the long session when lawmakers are already barred from doing so;
• Prohibits legislators from accepting honoraria for appearances and speeches related to legislative matters;
• Requires county clerks to locally provide copies of state candidates’ documents from state Web sites; and
• Prohibits statewide officeholders from appearing or using their name in a print, radio or television advertisement funded with state-appropriated money unless there is a “compelling public policy reason” and permission is granted from the State Budget Committee and State Budget Agency. Gubernatorial public service announcements related to public health or safety would automatically be allowed.

“It is important this ethics reform package remains far-reaching and comprehensive,” Miller said. “As state elected officials, we are stewards of Hoosier’s interests and must be held to the highest of standards.”

House Bill 1001 now moves back to the House for further consideration.

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Miller represents Senate District 32, which includes parts of Marion and Johnson counties.