MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Gov. Bob Riley’s address on ethics reform at a joint public hearing of the Legislature tonight, to occur shortly after the special session is convened, will be broadcast live online, according to a governor’s office news release.

The speech will take place shortly after 6 p.m. in the historic Old House Chamber at the state capitol.

Riley has convened a special session on ethics starting Wednesday, Dec. 8, “to pass anti-corruption reform measures that will give Alabama the nation’s toughest ethics laws for public officials and public employees,” according to the release.

Throughout his two terms in office, Riley has pushed for passage of these reforms, but each year the Legislature failed to pass them, the release stated.

With Republicans holding majorities in both the House of Representatives and Senate, “Gov. Riley says lawmakers are eager to pass anti-corruption reforms during the special session,” the release stated.

The special session that began today could last from five straight meeting days to 12 meeting days scheduled over 30 calendar days.

Riley’s address will be broadcast live online at www.governor.alabama.gov, where information on the legislation is also available.

Editor’s note: Watch for additional coverage of ethics law reform from a Baldwin County perspective in upcoming editions of Fairhope Courier and online at BaldwinCountyNow.com.