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Proposed Changes to Alabama's Ethics Law

Gifts Under $25 Would Be Legal

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By Krista Littlefield

Story Created: Apr 16, 2012 at 5:20 PM CDT

Story Updated: Apr 16, 2012 at 8:19 PM CDT

Alabama lawmakers are planning to make changes to the state ethics law in an effort to clarify what's an acceptable gift to a public official or employee.

The amendment would specify that gifts with a value of $25 or less are not illegal. The proposed changes to the state ethics law is aimed at clearing up mass confusion created by the ethics law, which passed last legislative session. The state ethics commission received hundreds of calls from residents concerned they were breaking the law by getting their child's teacher a Christmas gift.

The original law was sponsored by Senator Bryan Taylor (R-Prattville) in an effort to curb officials from using their office for personal gain. "95% of what we do in the legislature is amend prior laws, we don't make a lot of new laws we are always going back and tweaking and making laws better and that's what we will do here" Taylor said.

The bill is now in a senate committee, if it passes it will then go on the the full senate for debate.

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