SB343 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Del Marsh

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Ethics, Alabama Ethics Act, Secs. 36-25-3.1, 36-25-3.2, 36-25-3.3, 36-25-4.4, 36-25-7.1, 36-25-7.2 added; Secs. 36-25-1, 36-25-2, 36-25-3, 36-25-4, 36-25-4.2, 36-25-5, 36-25-5.1, 36-25-7, 36-25-8, 36-25-9, 36-25-10, 36-25-11, 36-25-12, 36-25-13, 36-25-14, 36-25-15, 36-25-17, 36-25-18, 36-25-19, 36-25-23, 36-25-24, 36-25-26, 36-25-27am'd; Sections 36-25-1.1 and 36-25-6 repealed

Summary

SB 343 would overhaul Alabama's ethics laws by expanding disclosures, creating new exemptions, and adding stricter rules and penalties for public officials, lobbyists, and investigations.

What This Bill Does

It rewrites key parts of the Ethics Act, expanding definitions of business, principal, and thing of value, and clarifying when gifts and compensation are not considered value. It creates new exemptions for certain public education employees, law enforcement, and first responders, and allows caucuses to receive meals from lobbyists under specific limits. It also establishes a legal defense fund for officials under investigation, tightens reporting requirements for statements of economic interests, strengthens enforcement and training through the ethics commission, and adds new criminal and civil penalties for violations.

Who It Affects

• Public officials and public employees, who would have expanded disclosure requirements, new restrictions on gifts and influence, and potential penalties and enforcement measures.
• Lobbyists and principals, who would face new reporting rules, spending limits for meals, and enhanced registration and conduct requirements.
• Public education employees and university-related staff, who would receive specific exemptions from certain ethics filing and gift restrictions.
• Law enforcement officers and first responders, who would receive exemptions from certain ethics provisions.
• State political party caucuses, which would be allowed to receive meals from lobbyists under defined limits.
• Local governments, since the bill notes it may involve local expenditure rules but provides exceptions under Amendment 621.

Key Provisions

• Adds new exemptions: educational institution employees (36-25-3.1), law enforcement and first-responder employees (36-25-3.2), and limited caucus meal rules (36-25-3.3).
• Creates a Legal Defense Fund (36-25-4.4) with rules for organization, reporting, permissible use (attorney fees, experts, litigation support), and prohibitions on anonymous contributions.
• Expands definitions of conflicts and things of value, increases what must be reported on statements of economic interests (36-25-14, 36-25-15), and includes family relationships with lobbyists and principals as part of disclosures.
• Imposes new penalties and enforcement mechanisms, including extortion (36-25-7.2), removal of lobbyist registration for felons, and expanded penalties for minor and major violations (36-25-27).
• Requires mandatory ethics training for legislators, constitutional officers, lobbyists, and local officials (36-25-4.2).
• Strengthens lobbying provisions and registration (36-25-18, 36-25-19) and tightens rules on gifts, conflicts, and use of mantle (36-25-5, 36-25-7).
• Enhances procedures for investigations and hearings, including a 180-day timeline to determine probable cause and a three-judge panel for certain actions (36-25-4).
• Repeals and replaces sections related to lobbying and contributions (repeals 36-25-1.1 and 36-25-6) and adds new sections (36-25-3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.4, 7.1, 7.2).

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Ethics