Barbour to sign ethics reform bill

Barbour to sign ethics reform bill

Gov. Haley Barbour will sign off on a bill that strengthens the state’s ethics regulations on Monday.

Senate Bill 2983 passed the Senate on a 46-0 vote.

Among reform efforts included in the bill: it will double the fine for ethics violations and require public officials — from senators to aldermen — to post their economic interest statements online.

The bill also will add scrutiny to the money state agencies spend on lobbyists, and the state Ethics Commission will become an arbiter in complaints concerning open records and open meetings.

Clarion Ledger
5/9/8