Lawmakers aiming for transparency

A wave of “reform” legislation passed out of the House State Government Committee with no opposition Monday.

The centerpiece of the five bills, which now goes to the House floor for consideration by the full body, was a measure known as “PennWatch”, sponsored by state Rep. Jim Christiana (R-Beaver).

PennWatch, if passed and signed into law, would create a state web site, open to the public, detailing virtually every state financial transaction that occurs. Mr. Christiana has bipartisan support for the measure, which passed the House last year, but did not make the Senate’s calendar before the session ended.

Mr. Christiana and supporters of the measure say the bill (H.B. 15) would offer “transparency” in government spending to the taxpaying public.

The bill would require the four legislative caucuses to report their expenses, but the list would not be itemized by lawmaker.

H.B. 103, also passed by the committee, would increase penalties for lobbyists found to be violating state law. The measure, sponsored by state Rep. Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) would increase lobbyist fines from $2,000 to $10,000 for failing to disclose their activities, while also prohibiting the lobbyist from working with state government for 10 years. It would also increase the daily fine for late lobbying filings from $50 to $250 per day.

Two other bills (H.B. 107 and H.B. 108) would require online reporting of state procurement activities and the posting of “sole source” – or non-bid – contracts for five days before they can be approved, so others could possibly bid on the services required by state government.

H.B. 109 would prohibit state lawmakers from creating not-for-profit organizations in order to obtain state grants or funding. Lawmakers may still serve on nonprofit boards, but may not create them under the proposed law, under the proposal.

All the measures may still be amended on the floors of the House or Senate.