Loophole For Limits
Times-Picayune (excerpt)

Legislators drew considerable attention during the February session on ethics laws when they imposed a $50-per-person food and drink limit on lobbyists entertaining lawmakers and other public officials.

For the legislators who grumbled about the change, the recent National Conference of State Legislature's annual convention in New Orleans provided a brief window back to the days of dining and drinking without spending limits.

Senate Bill 8 of the special session -- it became Act 9 with Gov. Bobby Jindal's signature -- included a House floor amendment by Rep. Noble Ellington, D-Winnsboro, that exempts from the new $50 limit any "gathering held in conjunction with a meeting related to national or regional organization or a meeting of a statewide organization of governmental officials or employees."