Mass. Lawmakers Reach Deal On Ethics Reform Bill

Massachusetts legislative leaders have reached agreement on a final version of a bill to toughen state ethics standards.

A person with knowledge of the discussions who spoke on condition of anonymity ahead of the announcement said a press conference is planned later Wednesday to unveil details of the bill.

It has been the subject of negotiations by a six-member committee charged with hammering out a compromise between separate House and Senate versions.

Both bills would double the penalty for violating lobbying laws to $10,000 and increase the penalty for bribery of state officials to $100,000 and 10 years in prison.

Critics have faulted the Senate bill saying it would weaken the state Ethics Commission.

Gov. Deval Patrick has threatened to veto a sales tax hike approved by lawmakers unless they deliver him an ethics reform bill first.