Senate says no to speaker's gifts bill

The Arkansas Senate on Thursday rejected House Speaker Jeremy Gillam's proposed legislation that would create exemptions to the gifts that state elected officials are barred from accepting under ethics law.

In a 9-12 vote with 13 senators not voting, the Senate defeated House Bill 1401 by Gillam, a Republican from Judsonia. The Senate later expunged the vote to clear the way for another vote.

"I think it just needs a little more time and some clarifications to get the appropriate votes," Sen. Bart Hester, R-Cave Springs, said afterward.

Hester told senators that the legislation would clarify many concerns raised about Amendment 94 to the Arkansas Constitution, which bars state elected officials from receiving certain gifts from lobbyists, including one-on-one meals and drinks.

Read more: http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2017/feb/10/senate-says-no-to-speaker-s-gifts-bill-/?f=news-politics