Editorial: Toughen reporting rules for lobbyists

Friday, May 3, 2002 | 4:21 a.m.

Last week the Center for Public Integrity, a nonpartisan group that investigates government accountability and ethics, released a nationwide study on the considerable impact that lobbyists have on state legislatures. Nevada earned a dubious distinction from the group's report on the issue of accountability: Nevada is the only state that doesn't require lobbyists to report their expenditures in the even-numbered years when the Legislature isn't in session.

The Nevada Legislature meets for just four months in odd-numbered years, but that doesn't mean things shut down upon adjournment. The Interim Finance Committee, a panel comprised of lawmakers that makes multimillion-dollar appropriations, conducts business when the Legislature technically isn't in session. Lobbyists try to influence legislators on this committee and others, too, where interim legislative committees study issues and draft legislation for upcoming sessions of the Legislature.

There is no reason why a distinction should be made between lobbying of state legislators in odd-numbered years vs. even-numbered years. If a lobbyist or group is trying to wield its influence, the public should know about it. Lawmakers should require that lobbyists report their expenditures when the Legislature isn't in session.