State ranks low in overseeing lobbyists

Thursday, May 20, 2004 | 9:27 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Nevada has received a failing grade in overseeing lobbyist spending at the Legislature, a national organization said Wednesday.

The Center for Public integrity said a survey of lobby disclosure laws ranks Nevada 38th in the nation.

The center said Tuesday that a survey showed lobbyists in 41 states reported spending more than $889 million in 2003 wining, dining and influencing state lawmakers.

But in Nevada, records indicate lobbyists shelled out only $14,273 during the 2003 Legislature and the two special sessions. It was the lowest amount spent in the nation. The center however did not include $90,069 spent by lobby organizations in hosting dinners or cocktail parties.

Robert Morlino of the center said part of the reason the state's rating is so low is that Nevada does not require lobbyists to disclose the salaries they earn.

Nevada also does not require lobbyists of the executive branch to register and report what they spend.

Another contributing factor: The Legislature meets only between February and July while other states have longer sessions.

The center graded the various states on registration, spending reports, public access and enforcement of regulations governing lobbyists. The highest state grade was 87 for Washington and the lowest was Pennsylvania, which received a zero.

Nevada scored 53. A passing grade was 60.

The center also marked Nevada down for not having a law for a "cooling off" period before legislators can register as lobbyists.

Lorne Malkiewich, director of the state's Legislative Counsel Bureau, said he "quarreled" with some of the conclusion by the center, based in Washington D.C. "In some things they reached the wrong conclusion," he said.

He contended that Nevada's system clearly shows the money spent by lobbyists and which legislators get it. The intent of the "law is being accomplished," he said.

"The amounts spent each month are so low. It is clear these expenditures are not influencing legislation," he said.

Malkiewich said he believed that lobbyist spending on the legislators has "gone way down" because legislators who are being wined and dined must be identified.