Panel backs state ethics reform bill

An ethics reform bill won approval of the Senate Rules Committee on Wednesday.

House Bill 2196 by co-Senate leader Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, prohibits fundraising by incumbent legislators or legislative candidates during and 15 days before and after annual sessions of the Legislature.

It also prohibits a person from converting campaign contributions to personal use.

Contributions can be retained under this legislation for a candidate's future election and be used to defend legal actions arising from the campaign, election or performance of a candidate's official duties as a state officer.

However, the funds could not be used to defend criminal charges.

Violation of this act would be a misdemeanor, which carries a penalty of up to a $1,000 fine and up to a year in jail.