Lawmaker pitches bill to require property disclosure

State Rep. Susan Lynn proposes an addition be made to the financial disclosure form state and local officials are required to file as candidates and update yearly as elected officials.

She advocates public officials, their spouses and minor children residing with the official disclose ownership interests in any real property other than a primary residence.

Lynn said the notion to require such disclosures dates back to 2006 and the Tennessee Waltz scandal, which made state residents more willing require officials to reveal more of their financial interests. State Rep. Susan Lynn proposes an addition be made to the financial disclosure form state and local officials are required to file as candidates and update yearly as elected officials.

She advocates public officials, their spouses and minor children residing with the official disclose ownership interests in any real property other than a primary residence.

Lynn said the notion to require such disclosures dates back to 2006 and the Tennessee Waltz scandal, which made state residents more willing require officials to reveal more of their financial interests.

"Then, we got 28 of 32 bills into the ethics reforms of 2006," she said. "State and local officials have to fill out a statement of interest. This law will add a disclosure of real property to the ethics laws."

The change wouldn't involve an entirely new procedure for officials.

"They already fill out a financial disclosure form when they are candidates and every year when they are in office," she said. "This would only add one more thing to that form."

Lynn said officials, such as planning commission members or other local elected officials, could influence and direct state money toward improvements that could benefit them directly.

"I think this is important legislation," she said.