Rep. Jason Ridley Introduces Legislation to Bar Public Officials with State Financial Ties

ATLANTA - State Representative Jason Ridley (R-Chatsworth) recently introduced House Bill 1362, which would make anyone with a financial interest in the State of Georgia ineligible to hold public office.

"For too long, wealthy insiders have used profits from massive state contracts to bankroll their political ambitions," said Rep. Ridley. "This bill ensures that no one can use your tax dollars to buy their way into the governor's mansion. We are ending the cycle of pay-to-play once and for all. This is a 'drain the swamp' measure for Georgia. It tells the donor class and the contractor class that the state government is not a private ATM for their political playbooks."

HB 1362 would make certain public officials ineligible to hold office if they, a family member or a business they are connected to transact business with a state agency or have a financial interest in a state contract. If such a conflict exists, it would be sufficient reason to vacate their office, though any official actions taken while in office would remain legally valid. This would apply to the public offices of governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, state school superintendent and the commissioners of agriculture, labor and insurance.

"The governor oversees the very agencies that award state contracts," added Rep. Ridley. "It is a fundamental conflict of interest to run for an office where they would essentially become the boss of their own biggest customer. If a candidate's wealth is tied to state-funded contracts, they aren't an outsider, they are a part of the government machine. With this legislation, Georgia is following the lead of states like Arkansas and South Dakota by requiring candidates to choose between their private government-funded interests and the public trust."

The full text of HB 1362 may be found here.

Representative Jason Ridley represents the citizens of District 6, which includes Murray County, as well as portions of Gordon and Whitfield counties. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2016 and currently serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government, Banks & Banking, Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight, Game, Fish & Parks, Motor Vehicles, Regulated Industries and Ways & Means committees.

###