Thu., April 2, 2009

Senate unanimous for Sunshine Law expansion

Senate Majority Leader Bart Davis, R-Idaho Falls, presents legislation to the Senate expanding Idaho's Sunshine Law to include personal financial disclosure for elected officials. That would end Idaho's distinction as one of just three states with no such requirements. The bill passed the Senate unanimously Thursday and now goes to the House. (Betsy Russell / The Spokesman-Review)

The Idaho Senate has voted unanimously 34-0, in favor of SB 1156, the bipartisan legislation to expand Idaho's Sunshine Law to add personal financial disclosure requirements for elected officials and candidates. Idaho is currently one of just three states with no such requirements. Senate Majority Leader Bart Davis, R-Idaho Falls, told the Senate that the governor supports the bill and helped craft it. Senate Minority Leader Kate Kelly, D-Boise, told the Senate, "The people we represent deserve to know if we have a conflict of interest as we fulfill our public duties." The unanimous vote included a few who sounded reluctant, but no one voted against it. The bill now moves to the House.

Posted April 2, 2009, 11:05 a.m.