Arkansas Lawmakers Back Expanded Lobbying Moratorium

Arkansas lawmakers have given final approval to a bill to ban the state's constitutional officers and judges from becoming a lobbyist for a year after they leave office.

The Senate unanimously approved and sent to the governor the bill that expands a 2011 law placing one-year moratorium on lobbying for former House and Senate members.

The proposal by Republican Sen. David Sanders of Little Rock applies to the state's seven constitutional officers, circuit judges, district judges, Supreme Court justices and Appeals Court judges and would prohibit them from becoming lobbyists for a year after their terms end.

It would also place a one-year lobbying ban on employees of those offices.

The Senate approved an earlier version of the measure, but had to sign off on an amendment adding a co-sponsor.