Posted by Phil Lee (216.250.238.49) on July 30, 2001 at 06:29:
Senator Middleton supported SB693 in 1996 to weaken reporting of
gifts from lobbyists by members of the general assembly.
Specifically, the intent was to give members a pass on reporting for
receiving certain gifts either directly or through family. From the
bill preamble:2 Ethics Law - Financial Disclosure and Lobbyist Reporting - Special Events
3 FOR the purpose of providing that an official need not include as a gift on the financial
4 disclosure statement attendance at certain events that are otherwise reported by
5 regulated lobbyists; altering certain lobbyist reporting requirements as to certain
6 functions to include events to which all members of a county or regional delegation
7 of the General Assembly are invited; generally relating to lobbyist reporting;
8 providing that a presiding officer of the Senate or House of Delegates shall be
9 deemed an ex officio member of a standing committee of the presiding officer's
10 chamber; and generally relating to financial disclosure and lobbyist disclosure.