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Representative Hansen Seeks Greater Disclosure from State Court Judges, County Commissioners

By Eric L. Lipman

While the Legislative Session is winding into its final weeks, there are still introductions of new bills ? whether for position-taking by Members, or as a ?vehicles? for other collections of legislative proposals or as previews of the work that Members hope to do in upcoming legislative sessions.

Perhaps for this last reason, the introduction of a measure by Representative Rick Hansen (DFL-South St. Paul) to include state court judges and county commissioners under the definition of ?public officials,? is noteworthy.

Under Chapter 10A, certain high-ranking government officials are denominated as ?public officials.? These officials are restricted as to their receipt of gifts from lobbyists or the principals of lobbyists and must submit certain disclosures on their finances for public view. For example, ?public officials? must annually detail amounts in excess of $50 that the official received in compensation for labor or personal services, the names of securities that the official owns which have a value over $2,500 and the location of non-homestead property in which the official has an interest.

A copy of Representative Hansen?s Bill, House File 4227, is accessible here, and a copy of the Statement of Economic Interests to be completed by public officials is accessible here.

Full post as published by Within the Scope on May 03, 2008 (boomark / email).