OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma House of Representatives on Wednesday voted down three rules changes proposed by the Ethics Commission, including a two-year “cooling off” period for lawmakers and state employees intending to become lobbyists.
House Joint Resolution 1029, a measure that essentially vetoed the three rules, passed 64-27 with the opposition coming from Democrats and conservative hard-liners. The Senate passed the bill late Wednesday night.
The measure also disapproved a rule that would have required office-holders to apply surplus campaign funds to the cost of a special election if they resign mid-term, and another that would have allow compliance notices to be sent by email rather than through the U.S. Postal Service.
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Rep. J.P. Jordan, in presenting the resolution, said requiring lawmakers to wait two years after leaving the Legislature to become lobbyists might be a good idea, but the Ethics Commission has no right to decide the matter.
“Perhaps it is good policy,” he said. “But from a rule of law perspective, the Ethics Commission does not have authority to do this. For that reason, we cannot allow it to stand.”
Rep. Johnny Tadlock, D-Idabel, was particularly incensed, telling colleagues the government has no right to interfere in private citizens’ livelihoods.
But Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola, argued that such waiting periods are common in private industry and that lawmakers should embrace the proposed rule in order to protect public perception of the Legislature’s integrity.
Speeding toward a final adjournment on Thursday or possibly Friday, the House churned through legislation at a rapid pace Wednesday, pausing from time-to-time for the traditional farewell addresses of departing members. Among measures passed were funding for rural fire departments, increases in Medicaid reimbursement rates, and work and training requirements for some Medicaid recipients.
