HB 25-1079: Independent Ethics Commission Jurisdiction

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Under current law, the independent ethics commission created in article XXIX of the state constitution does not have jurisdiction over officials or employees of special districts or school districts. The bill gives the independent ethics commission jurisdiction to hear complaints, issue findings, assess penalties, and issue advisory opinions on ethics issues concerning a special district official or employee or school district official or employee. However: "Officials" include only members of a school district or special district board; "School district employee" includes only the superintendent or head administrative officer designated by a school board to execute its policy decisions who is appointed or hired by, directly reports to, and is subject to the direction of the school district board; and "Special district employee" includes only an employee of a special district who is appointed or hired by, directly reports to, and is subject to the direction of the special district's board. Existing law establishes ethical standards for a special district official or employee or school district official or employee. The bill incorporates those standards under the independent ethics commission's jurisdiction and expands the standards to include those described in article XXIX of the state constitution. The bill appropriates $120,856 in general fund to the judicial department for use by the independent ethics commission for the 2025-26 state fiscal year. To implement the bill, the commission may use $96,917 for program costs and $23,939 for the purchase of legal services. The bill also appropriates $23,939 to the department of law for the 2025-26 state fiscal year. This appropriation is from reappropriated funds received from the bill's appropriation to the judicial department. To implement the bill, the department of law may use this appropriation to provide legal services for the independent ethics commission. (Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.) (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 12

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. May 8, 2025Senate Committee on Appropriations Lay Over Unamended - Amendment(s) Failed
2. May 1, 2025Senate Committee on State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Refer Unamended to Appropriations
3. April 29, 2025Introduced In Senate - Assigned to State, Veterans, & Military Affairs
4. April 28, 2025House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
5. April 25, 2025House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor
6. April 24, 2025House Second Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments
7. April 22, 2025House Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole
8. January 29, 2025House Committee on Transportation, Housing & Local Government Refer Amended to Appropriations
9. January 13, 2025Introduced In House - Assigned to Transportation, Housing & Local Government