Delay on ethics bill

The state Senate has delayed until Thursday its answer about ethics reform.

The Senate Rules Committee heard testimony Tuesday about House Bill 142, which among other proposals would ban lobbyists’ gifts to individual legislators. The bill is sponsored by state House Speaker David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge. It is considered historic legislation that would for the first time place limits on influence under the Capitol’s Gold Dome.

The Senate Rules Committee had scheduled a meeting for Wednesday to unveil its version of the bill. Among other proposed changes, the Senate is expected to reject the ban in favor of a $100 cap on lobbyists’ gift. The meeting is now rescheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday.