Bill banning gifts from lobbyists moves forward

Nevada Senate Majority Leader Michael Roberson, R-Henderson, listens to testimony from lobbyist Carol Vilardo during a hearing at the Legislative Building in Carson City, Nev., on Thursday, March 26, 2015. Debate continues over Gov. Brian Sandoval's proposal to change the business license fee program to raise money for public education. (Cathleen Allison/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

CARSON CITY — A bill banning gifts from lobbyists to Nevada lawmakers and imposing tougher campaign reporting requirements was approved Monday by a Senate committee.

Senate Bill 307 sponsored by Majority Leader Michael Roberson of Henderson bars legislators or family members from receiving gifts from lobbyists. Existing law limits such gifts to a value of no more than $100 per year.

The bill requires legislators and lobbyists to disclose any expenditures made or received for lawmakers to attend educational or informational meetings.

Also, it requires monthly reporting of campaign contributions and expenses during election years.

Some members of the Senate Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections raised concerns that monthly reporting would be burdensome for some candidates.