Lobbying measure clears Senate 34-0

The Senate approved legislation Monday that would prohibit a state lawmaker or a constitutional officer from serving as a registered lobbyist while serving as an elected state official.

Senate Bill 256 by Sen. Keith Ingram, D-West Memphis, also would apply to state lawmakers or a constitutional officer between the date he is elected and the date he takes office.

The Senate voted 34-0 to send the bill to the House for further consideration.

Ingram said his bill is one of six ethics bills backed by House and Senate leaders, including both chambers’ Democratic and Republican leaders.

Current ethics rules bar lawmakers from being compensated beyond their legislative pay and benefits “for lobbying other members of the General Assembly.”