Connecticut Senate Bill SJ00011

Connecticut 2021 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/26/21
• Refer: 1/26/21

Caption

Resolution Amending The State Constitution To Prohibit Certain Lobbying In The House And Senate Chambers.

Note

Overall, SJ00011 represents an effort to tighten regulations around lobbying activities within the legislature, aiming to foster a more transparent and ethical legislative environment.

Impact

The successful implementation of SJ00011 would bring significant changes to the rules governing lobbying practices in the state legislature. By confining the access of legislative liaisons during active legislative sessions, the bill intends to enhance the transparency of governmental operations. This approach aims to reduce potential conflicts of interest and ensure that the legislative process is not unduly influenced by lobbyists who may seek to sway legislative members during their deliberations.

Summary

SJ00011 is a proposed Senate Joint Resolution aimed at amending the state constitution to impose stricter regulations on lobbying within the legislative chambers. Specifically, the bill seeks to prohibit legislative liaisons from the executive branch or legislative commissions from accessing the House and Senate floors on days when the chambers are in session, with exceptions only for public hearings or invitations for ceremonies. This resolution aims to streamline the presence of lobbyists in the legislative setting, placing legislative liaisons under the same constraints as regular lobbyists regarding their access to the chambers.

Contention

While supporters of SJ00011 argue that the measure is a necessary step toward ensuring fair legislative practices, there are counterarguments regarding the potential impacts on communication between agencies and legislative bodies. Critics may contend that this could hinder the dissemination of important information from executive agencies to lawmakers, thereby affecting the legislators’ ability to make informed decisions. Additionally, there may be concerns voiced about how strict limitations on lobbyists could have unintended consequences for public interests and advocacy efforts.