Lobbyists would have to register with the county under ethics requirements the Harris County Commissioners Court was set to take up this morning.

While anyone can pull up a full list of lobbyists at the state legislature, and each registered lobbyist's activities, Harris County currently does not require lobbyists whose clients have an interest in county affairs to register or disclose their activities.

The plan would need the approval of the state legislature.

Not all commissioners feel the ethics reforms are needed.

From The Houston Chronicle:

Commissioner Steve Radack reiterated his argument that none of the measures would make a big difference since the district attorney's office, county attorney's office and Texas Ethics Commission already have the authority to investigate and punish wrongdoing.

The recommendations are found in the Citizens Task Force on Ethics report, presented by Judge Ed Emmett's ethics committee to the Harris County Commissioners Court four months ago. The task force was commissioned after a scandal involving District Attorney Chuck Rosenthal earlier this year.

If legislation is passed--and it's a big "if" at this point-- the documents would hopefully be posted online through the county clerk's office, said Joe Stinebaker, communications director for Judge Ed Emmett. Stinebaker said the task force recognized the importance of online posting. (The report, however, says nothing of documents being made available online.)

(Picture by flickr user vaXzine, used via the Creative Commons license.)