Article
Courtesy of The Sun Sentinel
By John
Kennedy
Published
April 27, 2007
TALLAHASSEE
· Lobbyists could be criminally charged if they lie during testimony before
a legislative committee under a hotly debated bill approved Thursday by the
Florida Senate.
The Truth in Government Act was sponsored by Sen. Alex Villalobos, R-Miami,
who wants to require anyone addressing a legislative committee to be sworn
in.
The measure passed 36-3, with three Democrats, Sens. Mandy Dawson of Fort
Lauderdale, Gary Siplin of Orlando and Al Lawson of Tallahassee opposed.
The legislation still has to clear the House.
"How can anybody be thinking about voting against truth in
government?" asked Sen. Nancy Argenziano, R-Dunnellon, when some
questioned whether the measure went too far. "The only thing you have
to worry about is if you intentionally lie. And if you intentionally lie,
you should be prosecuted."
Opponents said they were worried about imposing strict penalties on
lobbyists who might present misleading testimony by accident.
Current Florida law allows committee chairmen to request that people
testifying before committees swear they will give truthful statements. But
it's rarely required.
"I believe this is the single most important bill the Legislature will
do this year," said first-term Sen. Jeremy Ring, D-Parkland.
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