RI officials must now report free trips

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) -- Elected officials in Rhode Island must now report when another organization pays for them to travel out of state.

The state Ethics Commission adopted the new rule Tuesday. It requires elected leaders and top appointed officials to disclose all travel expenses more than $250 when covered by another person or organization.

The watchdog group Common Cause Rhode Island requested the new rule. Executive Director John Marion says the public should know when an organization pays for a public official's trip.

Marion cites as examples legislative trips funded by the conservative, corporate-backed American Legislative Exchange Council as well as a trip to Argentina last year by state Senate Democratic Leader Dominick Ruggerio paid for by the New Jersey-based Senate Presidents' Forum.