(CBS/AP)
Associated Press Release
By RAY HENRY
ATLANTA (AP) -- House Speaker David Ralston has proposed legislation that would ban lobbyists from spending on individual elected officials in Georgia.
The Republican filed his proposal Monday, saying it's essential that the state Legislature maintain the public's trust.
Ralston said his legislation would generally ban lobbyists from spending money or giving gifts to elected officials. He said it would also restore the rulemaking authority of the state's ethics commission and require that more people officially register as lobbyists.
Right now, lobbyists can spend as much as they want to influence lawmakers and other officials as long as lobbyists disclose that spending. There are no spending limits.
The state Senate earlier this year passed a weak internal rule prohibiting gifts worth more than $100.
