SB 3161

Abstract

Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. Provides that the Legislative Ethics Commission shall consist of 12 commissioners (rather than 8) and that Leaders of the General Assembly shall each appoint 3 commissioners (rather than 2). Provides for the appointment of and requirements for members of the general public as commissioners. Provides that a person is not eligible to serve as a commissioner if that person, among other restrictions, was registered as a lobbyist within the preceding 10 years (rather than preceding 12 months), is someone other than a member of the General Assembly who holds a partisan elected or political party office, or is an officer or employee of a political committee or political campaign. Provides that the minutes of meetings of the Commission shall become public on the Commission's website within 5 days after the Commission's approval. Provides the process for searching for and making recommendations to the General Assembly for candidates to appoint a new Legislative Inspector General. Provides that within 10 days of a vacancy or of the resignation of a Legislative Inspector General (rather than if the Office is vacant or the Legislative Inspector General resigns), the Commission shall designate an Acting Legislative Inspector General who shall serve until the vacancy is filled. Provides that if the Office of Legislative Inspector General is vacant for 6 months or more, all complaints for which the Legislative Inspector General would be responsible shall be directed to the Executive Inspector General for the Attorney General, and he or she shall have the authority to act as provided in the Act. Provides that if the Office is vacant, either the staff of the Office of the Inspector General or if there is no staff of the Office of the Inspector General, the Executive Director of the Commission shall, at each meeting of the Commission, report to the Commission, how many investigations are open and not yet completed and how many complaints or allegations have been submitted during the time of the vacancy. Effective immediately.