Lobbying restrictions inch forward in House process
The House is one step closer to further restricting public officials from lobbying in the years after they leave public service.
The House State Affairs Committee gave its unanimous OK to two bills (HB 7001 and HB 7003) to implement 2018’s Amendment 12, which places business and lobbying restrictions on former lawmakers. Penalties under the measures would include fines up to $10,000 and forfeiting money earned from illegally lobbying. Violators could also receive public censure or reprimand.
Tampa Republican Rep. Traci Koster is carrying the legislation.
The first measure would extend, from two years to six years, the time in which lawmakers and state agency heads must wait after leaving off...
