Area lawmakers say they agree with Missouri House Speaker John Diehl's prohibition of eating during House committee hearings as well as legislative committee meetings outside the state Capitol.
Diehl, R-Town and Country, said his reasoning for banning eating at hearings was to establish the same decorum in the hearings as when on the House floor during session, he said. There has been no official rule or change to the House rules, but Diehl is confident the representatives will adhere to his instructions. There may be later discussions with committee leadership if there needs to be a rule on the books for this new policy, he said.
"I think it is a step in the right direction," said Rep Jay Barnes, R-Jefferson City. "Not necessarily because of the source of the food, but because it is a little awkward going into committee meetings and seeing members eat lunch in front of a room of witnesses and members of the public."
Diehl's ban is coming after the practice of lobbyist-catered meals away from the Capitol was met with criticism. For years, lobbyists have provided catered food during committee hearings inside the Capitol.
Barnes said he has not had any lobbyist-catered meals at the committees meetings he has chaired, nor does he believe any catered meal have ever changed a committee member's vote. The meals at the Capitol are usually more convenient than extravagant - closer to a sandwich than a steak, Barnes said. Most representatives care more about the food than the provider, and they often don't even know who bought the meals given to them, he said.
Rep. Mike Bernskoetter, R-Jefferson City, said he was fine with the new policy because he never felt comfortable eating in front of people anyway.
"The problem with it is that ... not everybody gets a break ... and all of our committees' hearings are set up around meal times," he said. "We are just going to have to figure out how we are going to do it. I am fine with figuring out a solution and making it work."
Bernskoetter said he will discuss with other House leadership the possibility of a lunch break between adjourning the morning sessions and starting the afternoon committee hearings.
For newcomers to the General Assemble, such as Travis Fitzwater, R-Holts Summit, the new policy has had little to no effect. All of Fitzwater's committees have met at the Capitol this session and none were catered by lobbyists. He said he has purchased all his own meals.
"We ought to treat the committee hearing process with the same respect as we do when we are out on the floor making decisions," Fitzwater said. "To not have food in committee hearings is probably a good idea. ... whether or not meals influence legislators is beyond me."
Across the aisle, sentiments of decorum are echoed by House Minority Floor Leader Rep. Jacob Hummel, D- St. Louis. He and the previously mentioned local legislators all said they believe the policy change is to combat the public's perception, rather than the influence from the lobbyists' meals.
"I think it is a good idea from a public policy standpoint," Hummel said. "If you are a member of the public and you come in and there is a bill being presented that represents a particular interest group and you see that the committee is eating a meal paid for by that same interest group, I think it would leave a bad taste in the public's mouth, no pun intended."
Hummel also said some people drive a long way to testify at the hearings, and representatives eating lunch during their testimony might not provide those testifying with the proper amount of attention they deserve. He added public pressure to create this change was a good thing, and he hopes it continues so it can help with ethics reform, something the House Democrats and Barnes have in their sights for this session.