Elected officials and political hopefuls would not have to submit substance abuse disclosure statements to the State Ethics Commission.

The Senate Economic and Environmental Affairs Committee voted, 9-2,against the bill co-sponsored by Sens. Larry E. Haines, R-Carroll, Baltimore, and Howard R. Denis, R-Montgomery, that would have requiredpoliticians and candidates to file the statements periodically.

The sponsors proposed the legislation as a way to demonstrate that elected officials are not "above the law." Haines said he would consider making submission of drug tests voluntary next year.