OKLAHOMA CITY – To avoid the slightest appearance of corruption, state lawmakers would be able to sign up for a "No Gifts List" that prevents lobbyists from giving legislators any item of value under a bill approved by a House committee today.

House Bill 2444, by state Rep. Jason Murphey, would require the state Ethics Commission to create and maintain a voluntary "No Gifts List." Under the bill, lobbyists would be prevented from giving items to any lawmakers on the list.

"I want to spend my time in the Legislature working for the people, not accepting lobbyists’ gifts and certainly not going through the hassle of returning unwanted gifts," said Murphey, R-Guthrie.

Since his election in 2006, Murphey has vowed to refuse all gifts from lobbyists. That proved harder than expected when lobbyists kept delivering unrequested gifts to his office.

Murphey returned or refused hundreds of dollars in lobbyist gifts during the past session and said returning gifts was a major logistical challenge since many were left with office staff or even mailed to his home.

At the request of Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland, a Democrat, Murphey plans to amend House Bill 2444 to allow statewide officeholders to be placed on the "No Gifts List."

Holland implemented a department-wide "Things of Value" policy upon assuming office, prohibiting the receipt of gifts or meals from anyone regulated by the Insurance Department. She said the "No Gifts List" would complement the agency’s internal efforts.

"Even a small token of appreciation can be misconstrued, so this legislation gives us the opportunity to avoid misunderstandings." Holland said. "We need to continually affirm to our public that the work of the Insurance Department is impartial and that our regulatory duties are carried out in a manner that is above reproach. The ‘No Gifts List’ is simply one more way to demonstrate that commitment."

Holland’s predecessor in office, Carroll Fisher, was impeached by the Oklahoma House of Representatives due in part to soliciting and accepting gifts of artwork, furniture and kitchen equipment, valued collectively at more than $30,000, from entities regulated by the Insurance Department.

Although voluntary, Murphey said a "No Gifts List" would put pressure on legislators since he believes constituents would demand that lawmakers place themselves on the list.

"This could be a fantastic tool for minimizing special interests' influence," Murphey said.

House Bill 2444 is based on a North Carolina General Assembly policy that took effect in March of 2006. Murphey said 43 members of the North Carolina Assembly are currently listed on a "No-Gift" list.

House Bill 2444 passed out of the House Rules Subcommittee on Elections and Redistricting today. It will next be heard by the full House Rules Committee.