Leading legislators say the recent disclosure of lobbying efforts by one of the governor's closest friends shows the need to review and perhaps toughen Maryland laws governing lobbyists.

Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller said he was dismayed to learn from a news report that Lance W. Billingsley, a lawyer who chairs the University of Maryland board of regents, has been paid by clients to get the governor's ear and help them in disputes with state agencies.

In one case, Billingsley arranged for members of an Indian tribe to meet with Glendening so they could plead their case for state recognition. Billingsley also has acknowledged working as an advocate for firms with state contracts to collect child support payments and run juvenile detention centers, The Sun reported Sunday.

Miller said there should be public exposure of such activities.

"There's got to be a provisional law that people who accept money, and perform a service involving a government official in return for that money, somehow should have to disclose that to the public. And the disclosures should not have to come about because of investigative journalism," Miller said.

Few legislators criticized Billingsley for lobbying while also serving as regents chairman, for which he is not paid. However, one top Republican said he should choose one job or the other.

"If Mr. Billingsley wants to be a lobbyist bad enough, he should resign his position on the board of regents," said Del. Robert L. Flanagan, the House minority whip. Flanagan said he plans to propose legislation to prevent regents from lobbying government agencies.

Billingsley has said he is a "lawyer-advocate" for his clients, not a lobbyist as defined by state law. He said clients retain him because of his extensive legal background in working with government.

A month ago, Billingsley delayed plans to lobby before the General Assembly after the newspaper reported that he intended to do so while serving as a regent. He has said he will step down from the board at the end of his term next year.

Del. Howard P. Rawlings, who has some authority over the higher education budget as chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, was reluctant to pass judgment on Billingsley's lobbying, noting that he was due to leave his position as regent.

"He's done an excellent job as chairman, so I'd like to give him the benefit of the doubt and look forward to the day he leaves," Rawlings said.

While legislative lobbyists must publicly disclose the clients they represent, lobbyists dealing with the executive branch need not disclose anything unless they're trying to win a client a contract worth more than $100,000 or they give public officials gifts of at least $100 during a six-month span. The rules are narrowly circumscribed in part because too many people might be considered executive branch lobbyists otherwise, said State Ethics Commission Executive Director John E. O'Donnell.

When told yesterday that Billingsley's lobbying work doesn't have to be disclosed, House Speaker Casper R. Taylor Jr. shook his head and said, "Now you see the need for [a commission] on lobbyist ethics."

Taylor has proposed convening a commission to study state law governing lobbyists. He, Miller and other top legislators said this week that Billingsley's lobbying underscores the need for such a commission.

In Annapolis

Highlights in Annapolis today:

Senate meets. 10 a.m. Senate chamber.

House of Delegates meets. 10 a.m. House chamber.

House Judiciary Committee hearing on HB 889, to require the public defender's office to represent indigent defendants at bail review hearings. 1 p.m. Room 120, House office building.

Pub Date: 3/10/99