INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – The chairman of Indiana's House Energy Committee says his personal investments in more than two dozen oil and gas companies do not pose a conflict of interest as he pushes legislation that would bar local governments from regulating gas and oil drilling.
 
Republican Rep. Eric Koch of Bedford tells The Indianapolis Star that any personal financial benefits from the legislation would be “very indirect, unsubstantial and not unique.”
 
The bill comes amid a push to strengthen ethics rules for lawmakers. The House Ethics Committee voted Tuesday to bar lawmakers from authoring or voting on legislation that could impact their income or businesses. The rules also require lawmakers to avoid the appearance of impropriety.
 
Koch's bill is pending before the House Natural Resources Committee.