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JEFFERSON CITY, MO. (AP) -- Missouri Senate Pro Tem Charlie Shields wants to create a new investigative unit for the state Ethics Commission.

Shields, a Republican from St. Joseph, proposed legislation Tuesday that would create an office to review compliance with lobbyist reporting requirements, campaign finance laws and conflict of interest rules. It then could file complaints with the Missouri Ethics Commission.

Shields' proposed legislation also would ban lobbyists from giving political contributions to lawmakers or the governor when the Legislature is in session.

And it would require legislative staff to file financial disclosures just like elected officeholders and other state officials.

Tuesday was the first day that Missouri lawmakers could file bills for the 2010 session, which starts Jan. 6.

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