A bill permitting the Executive Branch Ethics Commission to regulate the lobbyist registration fee has passed in committee. The State Government Committee approved House Bill 608, paving the way towards allowing the commission to set the amount executive branch lobbyists must pay each year to register, rather than follow the statutorily mandated $125.

The bill also requires executive branch officials and employees to report suspected violations of the code of ethics to the commission.

Proponents of the bill argue any increase in the fee would simply help cover the costs of investigating and prosecuting violations. The bill now heads to the full house for consideration.