Review of senator conflicts of interest proposed
The Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee heard testimony Jan. 19 on bill that would require the formal review of conflict of interest statements filed by state senators.
Lincoln Sen. Bill Avery, sponsor of LB755, said the proposal would raise awareness among lawmakers and provide citizens additional information about potential legislative conflicts of interest.
Under current law, local-level elected officials must file potential conflict of interest statements before voting on measures that may have a financial benefit or detriment to the individual, his or her immediate family members or business interests.
Statements are reviewed by the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission, Avery said, which determines if a conflict exists.
“If they have a conflict, they are barred from voting,” he said.
State senators, however, face no such restriction, Avery said. Senators are required to file a potential conflict of interest statement, he said, but the commission currently does not review the filings and lawmakers are free to vote on measures related to a statement.
Under LB755, a potential conflict of interest statement filed by a state senator would be reviewed by the commission and a determination would be filed with the Clerk of the Legislature within a reasonable amount of time.
Frank Daley, executive director of the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission, testified in support of the bill. He said the measure would treat state lawmakers more like other elected officials in relation to conflicts of interest.
The bill would not prevent senators from voting on a bill even when a conflict of interest exists, he said, but would provide additional information for the public to consider regarding such votes.
Conflict of interest determinations by the commission also could assist senators in making decisions about recusing themselves from votes, he said.
No one testified in opposition and the committee took no immediate action on the bill.
