Lobbyists’ spending reports contested

? A House-Senate conference committee on lobbyists’ spending remained at odds today.
House members of the committee want to reduce the reporting requirements for lobbyists, while senators have not been wanting to go as far in the changes.
Lobbyists currently are required to file reports with the state that show how much they spend on meals and hospitality for legislators.
In 2003, lobbyists spent $486,579 on legislators.
The House members want to eliminate reports if the meal is under $25. The House also wants to eliminate the requirement that lobbyists maintain itemized records on their expenses.
The Senate negotiators have opposed changing the record-keeping requirement, and said they were willing to eliminate itemized reports on meals if the meal is under $10.