House Committee Passes Ethics Reform Bill

An ethics reform bill banning state legislators from receiving gifts from lobbyists passed a House committee vote Tuesday. It is expected to move to the House floor next week. Representative Justin Alferman, a Republican from Hermann, sponsored the bill, which the Government Oversight and Accountability Committee passed unanimously. Representative Gina Mitten, a Democrat from St. Louis County, expressed concern over undue influence, and asked whether a specific dollar amount should be part of the ban.