Senate approves tighter gift bans, ethics rules

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Lawmakers on Monday approved watered-down versions of campaign finance reform and ethics bills, even as they sought to restore public trust in government as three suspended lawmakers face criminal cases.

Senators approved SB831 by Democratic Sen. Jerry Hill of San Mateo on 35-1 vote, and it moves to the Assembly. It requires new disclosures for travel-related gifts and would ban elected officials from requesting payments on their behalf to nonprofit organizations run by family members.