AN ACT relating to legislative ethics.
     Reverse the provisions of 1996 HB 585 as follows: Amend KRS 6.611, relating to definitions for the code, to delete the requirement that costs of admittance or attendance, or the value of food or beverages consumed at certain events be considered "anything of value"; delete the requirement that "anything of value" include transportation, lodging, and other ancillary expenses related to attendance or participation in events to which a legislator is invited and for which the legislator receives prior approval from the Legislative Research Commission; delete the provision that "anything of value" shall not include the cost of lodging provided by the sponsoring entity at events sponsored by or in conjunction with a civic, charitable, governmental, or community organization and delete trade associations from that list of event sponsors; delete the provision limiting those events to ones held within Kentucky; delete the provision that "compensation" does not include reimbursement of expenses if the reimbursement is equal to, or less than the amount paid for the expenses and if the expenses are itemized; delete the provision specifying that a "family member" who is a member of the individual's household must also be dependent upon the member; delete the provision excluding from "financial transaction" any transaction or activity that is available to the public on similar terms and conditions, or a transaction or activity that is made or let after public notice and competitive bidding or contracts that are available on similar terms to other members of the general public; delete the provision that a "legislative agent" also means an individual engaged in lobbying activities as a legislative liaison of an association, coalition, or public interest entity formed for the purpose of promoting or otherwise influencing legislation; amend KRS 6.651 to add the requirement that the four members appointed by the President of the Senate include one former legislator, one vested member of the Judicial Retirement System, and two from specified lists, and that the four members appointed by the Speaker of the House include one former legislator, one vested member of the Judicial Retirement System, and two from specified lists; add the requirement for members of the Legislative Ethics Commission to be appointed from lists submitted by the Attorney General, the Auditor, the Judicial Retirement and Removal Commission, and the Registry of Election Finance; amend KRS 6.666 to permit the Legislative Ethics Commission to initiate complaints and investigations on its own motion and to conduct investigations, inquiries, and hearings concerning any matter covered by this code; amend KRS 6.686 to require the commission to investigate any alleged violation of this code upon a complaint signed under penalty of perjury by any person or upon its own motion; delete the provision directing the commission to investigate only upon the filing of a complaint; delete the requirement that complaints be made under oath administered by persons legally empowered to administer oaths; delete the provision permitting a member of the commission to file a complaint; delete certain changes in the commission's complaint procedures; amend KRS 6.744 to prevent a legislator from making an implied threat in contacting state agencies on behalf of a person; delete conditions on making those inquiries; amend KRS 6.807 to delete the requirement for a legislative agent and employer to include in the initial registration statement, the nature and identity of the organized association, coalition, or public interest entity and whether the agent will be lobbying on behalf of his employer or as a representative of the organized association, coalition, or public interest entity; amend KRS 6.821 to delete the requirement that a representative of an organized association, coalition, or public interest entity file a statement of expenditures and include the identity of the source of the organization's funds and financial resources; amend KRS 6.656 to conform; provide a transition schedule.

     Mar 4-introduced in House
     Mar 5-to State Government (H)