May 23, 2013
ATLANTA (AP) -- The debate over whether Georgia should limit lobbyist spending at the Statehouse is expected to intensify.
The Senate Rules Committee could unveil its own version of proposed lobbying rules during a meeting Wednesday.
House and Senate leaders disagree on approaches as the legislative session heads toward a close.
House Speaker David Ralston, a Republican, has proposed banning lobbyist spending on individual lawmakers. His plan would still allow spending on groups of lawmakers and could require more people to register as lobbyists.
By contrast, the Senate earlier this year passed an internal rule capping lobbyist expenditures at $100. Conservative and tea party activists appeared before a Senate committee Tuesday to criticize rules in Ralston's plan that may require them to register as lobbyists.
