OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Ethics Commission on Friday voted unanimously to resubmit a rule to lawmakers that would ban them from lobbying for two years once they leave office. The ban also would cover chief administrative officers for state agencies and other elected state officials.
Last year, lawmakers rejected the rule.
Ethics Commission Executive Director Ashley Kemp said two-thirds of states have a cooling off period. Kemp said the rule was necessary to avoid conflicts of interest and to ensure state officers and employees operate in the best interest of the state.
She said the rule would not apply retroactively.
Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola, spoke in support of the rule.
“Don’t waiver,” he told commissioners. “Keep it up.”
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He said he voted to support the rule.
But A.J. Ferate told the commission it was seeking a solution to a problem that did not exist.
“We don’t have to have a criminal to know something is wrong,” said Commission Chairman John Hawkins.
The commission has to protect against undue influence, Hawkins said.
A number of lawmakers who faced term limits or didn’t seek re-election have returned to the Capitol as lobbyists.
Ferate said he didn’t think the commission had the authority to enact the rule.
When lawmakers rejected the rule, Gov. Mary Fallin said the Ethics Commission had overstepped its authority.
“The commission does not have the authority to write rules that prohibit employment opportunities of Oklahoma private citizens, which include state employees and lawmakers when they no longer are employed by the state,” Fallin said.
Kemp said there was a lot of misinformation around the time the rule was rejected.
In addition, with the elections there will be some new faces in the House and Senate, which could improve its chances of passing, Kemp said.
