The Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly on Aug. 14 voted 5-3 to adopt an ordinance amending the assembly code of ethics, a measure supporters said would let the Board of Ethics dismiss trivial complaints and give clearer rules about who may speak for the assembly.

Supporters said the ordinance will reduce administrative burden and provide the ethics board tools to address de minimis matters without forcing full hearings. Opponents argued the measure should wait for a pending court ruling related to an ethics case and said the Assembly should first get further input from the Board of Ethics.

Assemblymember Prentice Crass sponsored the ordinance and moved adoption. The Assembly considered and approved several amendments during debate, including a change replacing the phrase "majority of the assembly" with "the presiding officer" in one provision. Another amendment adding a legislative finding that de minimis violations pose negligible risk to the public interest was approved unanimously.

Members who urged delay said a Superior Court case involving a current assembly member could make immediate changes appear to interfere with ongoing judicial proceedings. Assemblymember Haney repeatedly urged postponement until the court issued an opinion, saying the ethics board and courts should be respected as separate decision points. Other members, including Assemblymember Kress, said the Board of Ethics had asked for authority to dismiss minor complaints and that the ordinance provides needed clarity and procedural tools.

The ordinance also alters language about public statements by assembly members so that the determination of whether a statement represents an "official" assembly position is tied more directly to the assembly's internal authorization process. Proponents said the change reflects the board's request for a clearer gatekeeping standard; critics warned it could shift discretion and prompt additional complaints.

After multiple amendments and extended debate, the main motion passed 5-3. The ordinance becomes part of the borough code and will guide how the Board of Ethics processes complaints and how assembly spokesperson authority is recognized going forward.

Members voting yes: Guttenberg, Lojinis, Crass, O'Neil and one other; voting no: Wilson, Roterman and Haney. (Final roll-call tally recorded at the meeting.)