Lobbyists went through a first round of ethics training Monday.

It's the first session since lawmakers passed the toughest legislation in state history.

Life as a lobbyist has changed. That was the message state officials delivered to a crowd of over 200 lobbyists attending ethics training. Among the amendments to ethics laws, spending limits on meals and beverages for lobbyists at twenty five dollars per meal with a limit of one hundred fifty dollars per year and fifty dollars per meal for principals with a limit of two hundred fifty dollars per year.

Jim Sumner, Director, Alabama Ethics Commission, says, “There are very few exceptions here that are going to allow someone to expend an unlimited amount of money on a day to day basis on public officials and employees.”

One section of the code may get a second look by lawmakers in the next session. Section 7 (a) which clarifies gifting, is now written in such a way that it may actually criminalize the work of lobbyists.

“The most confusing thing is how to deal with section 7, which essentially criminalize just a lobbyist doing their job, in other words talking to members of the legislature or talking to other governmental officials about issues and so forth, could be deemed to be criminalized,” said Sumner.

Other portions of the law seem to need some clarification as well. It’s ok to provide meals and beverages for public officials as a part of an educational or economic development function or as a part of a widely attended event, it’s not completely clear what defines a widely attended event.

“I would like to see a definition for a work session which we don’t have now I would like to see more definition to a widely attended event but will just have to see what the legislators are willing to do when they go into session in March,” said Sumner.

Lobbyists say they’re looking for interpretation as well.

Arch Lee, Lobbyist, says, “It seems like several sections of it contradict each other and when you’ve got the director of the ethics saying that they sure don’t understand that certainly leaves us a lot to learn as well so until they understand it I don’t think we can understand it.”

Deborah Miller, Lobbyist, says, “There’s still some ambiguous terms that I look forward to clarification on because I think all lobbyists in general want to follow not only the spirit of the law but the intent of the law and the law.”

Lobbyist and former state representative Beth Marietta Lyons says she thinks it’s best to error on the side of caution.

Beth Marietta Lyons, says, “I think we’re all going to have to be mindful I mean lobbyists, principals, I mean citizens, with the section in the code that says we cannot spend any money if you’re seeking to influence official action that’s problematical for everyone who talks to his or her legislators.”

Clearly the first training session has left more questions than answers, for now the best advice for lobbying officials is to not spend a dime until some further clarification is reached.

Violating the ethics laws is punishable by up to twenty years in prison.