The Travel Conflict of Interest Bill (S.2109), or “An Act to close travel loophole in the state conflict of interest law, and to provide for greater transparency and accountability regarding travel gifts,” is sponsored by Sen. Collins. The bill has been referred to the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.
Massachusetts law currently allows legislators to work around strict ethics rules by declaring that a trip paid for by a lobbying group is “in the public interest.” This bill would prohibit these state officials from accepting any lobbyist-paid travel within the year the group is registered.
While relevant to many issue areas, including internet regulation, MAPA’s awareness of this loophole followed the almost annual legislator trips to Israel funded by the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC). The conflict of interest is evident here, as in 2018 the JCRC lobbied for $500,000 in state funds to promote Israeli businesses, with $250,000 being approved by the state legislature.
Travel Conflict of Interest Bill Fact Sheet.
Lead Sponsor: Sen. Nick Collins
Committee: Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight
Primary Advocate: Jeff Klein