Oklahoma Ethics Commission Advances Rule Revision Requests

The Oklahoma Ethics Commission approved advancing two rulemaking amendments proposed at the November 13 meeting. Requested revisions to Rule 5.16 would allow a lobbyist principal to provide meals to either chamber of the Legislature during session, rather than only to a committee or subcommittee. Amendments to Rules 5.2 and 5.6, and a repeal of Rule 5.8, would potentially loosen gift restrictions to allow for expenditures on traditional business expenses, such as meals and events, while doing away with the requirement that gifts from lobbyists come only at infrequently occurring occasions of personal significance to the recipient. The commission will also consider issuing a guidance letter on Rule 5.14 to clarify only the actual cost of the food and beverage at an event to which all members of the Legislature are invited needs to be reported. The Ethics Commission will consider the drafted revisions, and public comment, at a hearing on December 19.

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