Jan. 3 (Bloomberg) -- House Democratic leaders said they'll act quickly to ban gifts and meals from lobbyists, prohibit lawmakers from flying on corporate jets and prevent them from taking overnight trips arranged by lobbyists.

Votes on the rules will be the first order of business tomorrow for the House in Washington, which will be under Democratic control for the first time in 12 years.

The proposed rules were released today after the House ethics committee said Representative Tom Feeney, a Republican from Florida, will pay the $5,643 cost of a 2003 trip to Scotland arranged by Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff. The panel also said outgoing Representative Curt Weldon, who lost his re- election campaign in November, agreed to repay more than $23,000 for a January 2003 trip funded by private interests.

``We're going to bring honesty and integrity back to the House,'' said incoming House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Maryland.

Though lobbyist-funded overnight trips would be banned, nonprofit foundations affiliated with lobbying groups would be allowed to pay for trips approved in advance by the House ethics committee. The rules would require public disclosure of all trips within 15 days after the excursion. The travel provisions would take effect March 1.

The rules also would require disclosure of the sponsors of pet projects known as earmarks that are often quietly tucked into spending measures. The rules would apply only to House members and wouldn't require any further congressional action or signature by President George W. Bush.

`Significant' Plan

``It is a breath of fresh air that the American people demanded in the last election,'' said Representative Martin Meehan, a Massachusetts Democrat. ``This is a significant package.''

Representatives of advocacy groups, who met with congressional staff members to discuss the proposals, applauded the House initiatives. ``The House definitely gets it,'' said Gary Kalman of the Washington-based U.S. Public Interest Research Group.

Public Citizen President Joan Claybrook called the proposals ``strong and a meaningful step forward.''

Democrats campaigned last year against what they said was a Republican ``culture of corruption,'' capturing control of both houses of Congress in the Nov. 7 elections.

Abramoff pleaded guilty to conspiracy and fraud last January and began serving prison time in November. He arranged a golf trip to Scotland in 2003 with guests including Feeney.

Travel Report

Feeney reported that the trip had been sponsored by the Washington-based National Center for Public Policy Research. After Feeney learned that the center had not paid for the trip, he asked the ethics committee for guidance. The committee ruled that the trip didn't comply with House rules, and Feeney agreed to pay the cost of the trip to the U.S. Treasury.

Such privately funded travel dropped following the Abramoff scandal, the Center for Public Integrity reported today. The Washington-based watchdog group said interest groups spent around $5.4 million on 2,700 trips for lawmakers and staff members between July 1, 2005, and June 30, 2006. During the preceding 12 months, the groups spent around $10.3 million on 4,700 trips.

To contact the reporters on this story: Julianna Goldman in Washington at Jgoldman6@bloomberg.net; Jonathan D. Salant in Washington at jsalant@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: January 3, 2007 17:44 EST