Missouri House bans lobbyist meals during committee hearings

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri's representatives will no longer get to munch on free food from lobbyists during committee hearings.

House Speaker John Diehl said Tuesday he has told committee chairs he is banning the practice of members eating lobbyist-provided meals when hearings are held during the lunch hour.

The new policy comes after Diehl also banned off-site committee meetings.

A meeting held at a Jefferson City country club where lawmakers dined at the expense of a group representing an industry the committee regulates received intense criticism from Democrats and other groups.

Diehl said he wants committee meetings held in the Capitol to have the same decorum that's expected on the House floor.