Key provisions in the House and Senate ethics bills:
_ The Senate bill would permit privately funded trips. The House bill would, too, but it set temporary—though voluntary—approval guidelines. Permanent rules are expected next week.
_ The Senate bill would ban lobbyists from trips, but not their clients. The House bill would permit them but would bar lobbyists from flying on the same plane.
_ Both would permit lawmakers to fly on corporate jets for the price of first class tickets.
_ The Senate bill would ban lobbyists—but not their clients—from giving gifts to senators. The House bill would permit gifts from lobbyists within the current limits of $50 per item and $100 per year.
_ The Senate bill would extend to two years the one-year ban on when senators-turned-lobbyists can lobby former colleagues. A one-year ban remains in the House bill.
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(c) 2006, Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.
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