FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
State Rep. Frank Burns D-Cambria/Somerset www.pahouse.com/Burns

Burns lobbying reform bill advances

HARRISBURG, March 18 – The House State Government Committee this week approved legislation (H.B. 1600) introduced by state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria/Somerset, to reform Pennsylvania lobbying laws.

"It is imperative that we, as elected officials, consider the best interests of our constituents when debating legislation," Burns said. "My bill would help to ensure that lobbyists do not have the upper hand in that debate, and I am pleased that the committee recognized its importance."

Under current law, a former public official or public employee may not lobby the governmental body with which he or she was associated for one year after having left the body.

Burns' bill would amend current law to require that two years must pass before a former public official or public employee may represent an entity, with promised or actual compensation, on any matter before the governmental body with which the former public official/employee had been associated.

The bill will now go to the full House for a vote.