Lobbyist bill passes out of legislative committee

Senator Del Marsh

A Senate committee Wednesday quickly approved a bill aimed at putting speed bumps in the legislator turned lobbyist career path.

Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston, is seeking to close a loophole in state ethics law that allows legislators to resign and immediately take a job lobbying the opposite chamber from which they served. 

The Constitution and Elections Committee approved the bill Wednesday on a 7-0 vote. Marsh says he hopes to have the Senate vote Thursday

State ethics law puts a two-year waiting period before legislators can become lobbyists. However, the House and Senate are considered separate entities under current law. A representative, for example, can resign and become a Senate lobbyist the next day.