Additional disclosure not required

In a debate on an ethics bill, questions were raised about which relatives state political office holders would have to include in reports to the state Ethics Board. The debate strayed, lasting more than two hours, including this exchange between state Reps. Troy Hebert, D-Jeanerette, Ernest Wooton, D-Belle Chasse, and House Speaker Joe Salter, D-Florien:

Wooten: Mr. Hebert, would you disclose your current marital status? I have a hard time keeping up.

Hebert: Mr. Speaker, could I get a ruling on the germainness of that question?

Salter: You don't have to answer that.

Hebert: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Wooten: Do you anticipate that status changing?

Salter: You don't have to answer that, either.

Hebert: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.