Chuck Peterson, attorney for Senate Resources Chairman Monty Pearce, R-New Plymouth, told the Senate Ethics Committee this morning on Pearce's behalf that though he recognizes other disagree, he doesn't read the Senate rules to require disclosures of conflicts of interest before committee votes. "The rule is not specific about that," he said. That's why, in his letter submitted to the panel this morning, "I suggested that I didn't think he had to do that. ... I think he went above and beyond what was required by your rules. ... I think that there is at least some ambiguity there."

Peterson said, "The citizens of this state recognize that you will undoubtedly have conflicts of interest. The question is whether or not the types of conflicts of interest you have ... will cause you to have to disclose." He said, "We recognize that you might be teachers, doctors, farmers." Peterson cited "the law in Idaho," as opposed to rules, defining conflict of interest as including a "private pecuniary benefit" to the official, a member of the official's household, or a business with which the official is associated.

He said Pearce's oil and gas lease with Snake River Oil & Gas is a "standard-form lease," and said of its terms, "They did not change, he did not acquire anything new as a result of any vote or any action that he took here in his capacity as a senator."