II 112th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 994 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 12, 2011 Mr. Kirk (for himself, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Lautenberg, and Mr. Durbin) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works A BILL To amend title 23, United States Code, to protect States that have in effect laws or orders with respect to pay-to-play reform, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the State Ethics Law Protection Act of 2011.

2.

Pay-to-play reform

Section 112 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: (h)

Pay-to-Play reform

A State transportation department shall not be considered to have violated a requirement of this section solely because the State in which that State transportation department is located, or a local government within that State, has in effect a law or an order that limits the amount of money an individual or entity that is doing business with a State or local agency with respect to a Federal-aid highway project may contribute to a political party, campaign, candidate, or elected official. .