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HARRISBURG<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 In his capacity as chairman of the House State Government Subcommittee on Campaign Finance and Elections, Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-Berks\/Lehigh) today led a hearing at the state Capitol that focused on lobbying reform legislation introduced earlier this year in the House of Representatives. The 12 bills\u00a0would increase openness and transparency in the lobbying process, limit the influence of professional lobbyists, and hold lobbyists to a higher standard of ethical conduct.<\/p>\n \u201cThe purpose of the hearing was to gain insight and recommendations from regulators, stakeholders and subject-matter experts on the potential impact of these bills and the broader environment of lobbying disclosure,\u201d said Mackenzie. \u201cThis topic is vital to the public interest, and as legislators it is our duty to ensure that Pennsylvania citizens have faith not only in the actions, but also in the processes of the General Assembly.\u201d<\/p>\n Subcommittee members heard from representatives of the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission, Pennsylvania Association for Government Relations (PAGR), Pennsylvania Department of State, and National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). Although they are supportive of the lobbying reform legislation, each of the agencies or organizations offered suggestions for improvements to the bills in their testimony.<\/p>\n \u201cThe State Ethics Commission welcomes the opportunity to assist the committee as it brings greater openness, transparency, limiting undue influence and improved ethical standards to the lobbying industry,\u201d testified Robert Caruso, commission executive director.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want to be part of the process to make these bills as good as we possibly can, without placing an undue burden on government relations professionals, unnecessarily encroaching on the profession itself or interfering with the right of citizens to petition their government for redress of grievances,\u201d explained Justin Fleming, PAGR president.<\/p>\n Major concerns voiced by the Department of State were the 60-day time frame for making changes to the Lobbying Disclosure Law and the costs involved.<\/p>\n \u201cThe department would need to make significant operational changes to implement the new requirements contained in these proposals,\u201d explained Jonathan Marks, deputy secretary of elections and commissions. \u201cIn order to make the changes necessary, the department requests a minimum of 180 days.\u201d<\/p>\n Mackenzie and other subcommittee members asked about lobbying reform measures in other states.<\/p>\n \u201cI think state lobbying restrictions are growing more uniform,\u201d Mark Quiner, NCSL Center for Ethics in Government director told them. \u201cLegislators are looking at other states for precedent and are adopting what works.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think we generated a good conversation today and are now better informed as we work on the legislation that we will ultimately end up advancing through the committee,\u201d concluded Mackenzie.<\/p>\n A video recording of the hearing is available for viewing at\u00a0www.pahousegop.com\/Video\/ <\/p>\n Information provided to TVL by: <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" HARRISBURG\u00a0\u2013 In his capacity as chairman of the House State Government Subcommittee on Campaign Finance and Elections, Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-Berks\/Lehigh) today led a hearing at the state Capitol … Continue reading Mackenzie Leads Hearing on Lobbying Reform Bills<\/span>
\nAndy Briggs
\nRepresentative Ryan Mackenzie
\n134th District
\nPennsylvania House of Representatives
\nhttp:\/\/www.repmackenzie.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n
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