Topeka ? The state Governmental Ethics Commission plans to audit dozens of lobbyists this fall to see how well they are complying with a state law requiring them to disclose who receives their small gifts.

Carol Williams, the commission’s executive director, said Wednesday that her staff hoped to do as many as 50 audits.

A 2000 law required lobbyists to publicly disclose the times, cost and recipients of many of the meals, snacks and drinks they provide to legislators and their staff. Lobbyists also must disclose the recipients of other small gifts, such as tickets to sporting or entertainment events.

“You don’t know if they’re doing something right unless you spot check them,” Williams said.

Some veteran lobbyists are taking the commission’s plans in stride. Bob Totten, who represents the Kansas Contractors Assn., said he and fellow lobbyists accept such scrutiny as part of their jobs but acknowledged, “Nobody likes government coming in and auditing you.”

In past years, the commission said a lack of staff prevented it from doing more than a few audits. Even with its present staff — nine full-time employees and one part-time investigator — the commission does not perform audits in even-numbered years because it must provide a cursory review of hundreds of campaign finance reports filed by candidates.

Lobbyists are required to file spending reports with the Secretary of State’s Office in January, February, March, April, May and September.

Until the 2000 law, Williams said, the commission had little reason to audit lobbyists because they reported only total spending in several categories. In 2001, the commission concentrated on candidates, performing 69 audits.

The 2000 law requires lobbyists to disclose who receives their meals, snacks and drinks unless the food and drinks are provided at an event to which an entire chamber, or the entire Republican or Democratic caucus in a chamber, is invited. There is no limit to what a lobbyist can spend on food.

Lobbyists who violate the laws can be fined up to $5,000 for a first offense, $10,000 for a second offense and $15,000 for subsequent offenses.