Rep. Marc Roberts (R)

HB 197 (Lobbying by State Agencies Amendments)

Libertas Institute supports this bill.

State employees hired to administer the law routinely lobby legislators to alter it—expanding their authority, giving them more money, etc. This bill would prohibit lobbying by state employees, while reasonably allowing them to provide testimony in committee or request legislation be sponsored to address an issue.

Libertas Institute supports this bill. Too often, at present, these individuals push an agenda on Capitol hill and try to kill legislation that might alter their practice, reduce their authority, or require them to do something they desire not to. This practice should end, and this bill is a good step in the right direction.