HB278 Summary

• Substantially revises Alabama's Ethics Law by amending multiple sections of the state ethics code relating to financial disclosures, conflicts of interest, and regulatory oversight.

• Broadens the definition of "lobbying" to include activities targeting the executive branch (not just legislative and regulatory bodies) and allows four commission members (instead of all five) to initiate complaints against alleged violators.

• Requires electronic filing capability for statements of economic interests and allows lobbyists to register and file reports electronically or in writing.

• Mandates ethics training programs for legislators (at beginning of each four-year term), state constitutional officers and cabinet members (within 30 days of taking office), lobbyists (within 90 days of registration), and municipal/county officials (within 120 days of taking office), with attendance required except in cases of catastrophic illness.

• Revises reporting categories for economic interests and updates definitions of key terms including "family member," "personal gain," "sphere of influence," and "confidential information" to strengthen ethics oversight.