Ethics rules are subject of today's Senate vote

RICHMOND

A scheduled vote in the state Senate today will determine whether the General Assembly's ethics rules are overhauled this year.

Proposed revisions to the legislature's self-policing procedures were prompted by the scandal that brought down veteran lawmaker Phil Hamilton last year. Hamilton, a Republican delegate from Newport News, was defeated in November after revelations that he lobbied for a job at Old Dominion University while he was securing state funding for the position.

A House ethics investigation was halted for lack of jurisdiction when Hamilton resigned his seat shortly after the election.

Comprehensive ethics overhaul legislation was moving smoothly through the House and Senate until last week, when a House committee unexpectedly derailed one of the bills, SB186, sponsored by Sen. Ralph Northam, D-Norfolk.

That means the only chance of changing the Assembly's ethics rules this year lies with a companion bill, HB655, sponsored by House Minority Leader Ward Armstrong, D-Henry County. It is up for final approval in the Senate today.

Among other things, the measure would require that an ethics investigation be carried to its conclusion notwithstanding a lawmaker's resignation or defeat. It would also open the now-secret process to the public once a preliminary inquiry establishes that there is a sound basis for the allegations of misconduct.

If Armstrong's bill is approved without any amendment, it will go straight to the desk of Gov. Bob McDonnell, who has said he will sign it.

If an informal poll of South Hampton Roads' delegation Monday is any indication, the bill's chances are better than even.

Of the region's seven senators, five said they either plan to vote for the measure or are leaning in that direction.

Among those leaning in favor of the bill are two who voted against it Friday in a Senate committee: Sens. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, and Frederick Quayle, R-Suffolk.

Both said they had been concerned that the proposed rules changes might unduly expose lawmakers to frivolous complaints from political opponents, but they are now rethinking those concerns.

"Right now I'm thinking ethics reform may not be such a bad idea," Lucas said.

Added Quayle: "We need some changes, there's no question about that."

Sens. Harry Blevins, R-Chesapeake, and Frank Wagner, R-Virginia Beach, said they, too, are inclined to favor the bill.

Sen. Yvonne Miller, D-Norfolk, who voted against the measure in the committee last week, would not say how she stands on it now. Sen. Jeff McWaters, R-Virginia Beach, said he is undecided.

Bill Sizemore, (804) 697-1560, bill.sizemore@pilotonline.com