A Republican state lawmaker has filed a measure that would list sex between lobbyists and lawmakers or their staff as gifts that must be reported to the state ethics commission.
Rep. Bart Korman, R-High Hill, filed the measure Wednesday, the first day of the 2016 legislative session where leaders have vowed to reform the state's ethics laws. The emphasis on ethics reform follows two scandals last year that led to legislative resignations. Missouri is the only state in the country with no campaign contribution limits, no lobbyist gift limits and no laws governing when a lawmaker can become a lobbyist.
Korman said the bill would "help create integrity, accountability and transparency."
"If an activity like that occurred, at least citizens would know about it," Korman said.
Under the measure, reporting such relations would not need a dollar valuation attached.
Additionally, relationships between married individuals or those in relationships prior to registration, election or hiring would be excluded.
Korman is chairman of the House Telecommunications Committee, which drew heavy media attention after being treated to dinner at the Jefferson City Country Club by the Missouri Cable Telecommunications Association. This led to former House Speaker John Diehl banning committees from meeting for dinner outside the Capitol.
The bill is House Bill 2059.
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