News - View Story

---

Bill would require greater disclosure

---

02-21-2008 - from Birmingham News, DAVID WHITE News staff writer

MONTGOMERY - Public officials, candidates and their spouses would have to file more detailed information with the state Ethics Commission if they are employed by or have a contract with a state or local government, under a bill passed by a legislative committee Wednesday.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Mike Ball, R-Huntsville, would cover people who work for or have contracts with a state agency, city, county, public school, public two-year college, public university, state court or municipal court.

Public officials, whether elected or appointed; candidates; and spouses of candidates or public officials would have to file with the commission:

Name of the governmental unit employing or contracting with the person.

Exact job description or a description of the contract.

Beginning and ending dates of employment or of the contract.

Compensation received.

Candidates and public officials already are required to file statements of economic interests with the commission, but information listed on those forms often is vague. Job descriptions or detailed descriptions of contracts aren't required, for instance, and income can be reported in broad ranges.

The Government Operations Committee of the state House of Representatives approved the bill, which could be voted on by the entire 105-member House as soon as next week.

"It would not restrict anybody from doing anything. It would just put it out there for the voters to see," Ball said.

Committee members approved an addition to the bill that they said was supposed to also require disclosures by the children and children's spouses of candidates or public officials.

E-mail: dwite@bhamnews.com