Montgomery, AL – Top Republicans in the Alabama Legislature are proposing changes to the state's new ethics law meant to eliminate confusion and protect against legal challenges.
House Speaker Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn, and Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston, introduced bills Thursday before the Legislature left on its spring break. The legislation adds the word ``corruptly'' to portion of the law that prohibits giving anything to an official to influence an official action. Marsh says the legislation was recommended by the Ethics Commission and the attorney general.to clear up confusion.
The executive director of the Ethics Commission, Jim Sumner, says the legislation would avoid prosecutions over inadvertent actions, such as someone offering a soft drink to a city council member while discussing the need for a new stop sign.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)