Jones’ bill passes House

Published 12:00 am Saturday, March 26, 2011

The Alabama House of Representatives this week approved a bill that would shield the State Ethics Com-mission from political retaliation by guaranteeing it a minimum funding level.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Mike Jones (R-Andalusia), passed 88-2.

The legislation requires the commission to receive one-tenth of one percent of the General Fund budget currently $1.8 billion.

The commission’s current appropriation is $1.78 million. The bill would provide a minimum of $1.57 million. The funding could only be cut with a two-thirds super majority vote.

The bill now goes to the Senate.