Council Deliberates on State Ethics Law Revision

Greenbelt City Council . Revisions to the State Ethics Law generated discussion as council grappled with how to ensure its local ethics laws are in sync with state law.

The ethics law revision includes public ethics provisions which broaden the scope of who is required to complete financial disclosure forms, require the establishment of an ethics commission and the registration of lobbyists.

Council did not vote on the city’s new ethics ordinance on Monday, but discussed related issues, such as how to determine what constituted a lobbyist and whether the demands of the financial disclosure forms would discourage volunteerism.

Bill Orleans came out of the audience to address council, stating that based on his recollection of a past work session, he guessed the ordinance was long. He also said he presumed, though lengthy, a copy of the ordinance would go to the public. 

Michael McLaughin, city manager, told Orleans that the city could take that on. After the meeting, McLaughlin told Patch that it would be listed on the city’s website and that copies would be available at city offices soon.