CURBING EXCESSES IN PRIVATELY FUNDED TRAVEL:

Members of Congress often travel as part of their official duties. When a private organization pays for this travel, it is crucial that record-keeping is thorough so that the public can be informed. The Special Interest Lobbying and Ethics Accountability Act:

• Requires an organization sponsoring member or staff travel, prior to the trip, to submit written certification to the Clerk of the House or Secretary of the Senate verifying that 1) the trip was not planned, organized, arranged, or financed by a registered lobbyist or foreign agent, or organized at the request of a registered lobbyist or foreign agent; and 2) the organization did not accept funds specifically earmarked for the purpose of the trip from any source.
• Subjects persons who submit false certifications to a civil fine of $100,000, with fines escalating to $300,000 for second-time violators and $500,000 for three or more violations.
• Requires disclosures submitted by members and staff no more than 30 days after trips to include a detailed itinerary and detailed descriptions of expenses.
• Directs the Ethics Committee to establish guidelines for allowable expenses on privately sponsored trips, taking into account the maximum "per diem" rates for official government travel published annually by the General Services Administration, Department of State, and Department of Defense.