JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - Alaska lawmakers are considering a pair of measures that would tighten conflict of interest rules within the Legislature.
The proposals were brought by Independent Rep. Jason Grenn of Anchorage, who says Alaska has some of the nation’s weakest rules regarding conflicts of interest, The Juneau Empire reported (https://bit.ly/2jWi1Ch).
“I know we don’t like to do things like other states most of the time, but I think this is one of those times when we say, we can do it better,” Grenn said.
Under the measures, a legislator found to have a conflict of interest would need a majority vote of the House or Senate to be able to vote on a piece of legislation.
Current Legislature rules only require one legislator to speak up before someone with a conflict of interest can vote.
If Grenn’s measures become law, two Senate lawmakers currently employed by oil and gas producers would be required to declare conflicts on related matter.
“I really do believe that most people agree that the intent of something like this is good,” Grenn said.
Grenn’s bill and accompanying resolution passed the House Judiciary Committee last week and will go before the House State Affairs Committee on Thursday.
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Information from: Juneau (Alaska) Empire, https://www.juneauempire.com
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