Committee approves study of legislative ethics process, sending SJ28 to interim Legislative Council review

Senate Joint Resolution 28, which asks the Legislative Council to conduct an interim study of the legislature's ethics process, was approved in executive action by the House Legislative Administration Committee by voice vote.

Sen. Pat Flowers of Senate District 31, who sponsored S.J. 28, told the committee the ad hoc ethics review formed during the last session "did an excellent job" but that the experience showed a need to capture lessons and build more structure so future ethics matters can be handled more efficiently. "I think we learned some things in that process that I think it would be valuable to capture," Flowers said.

Representative Perry asked how the interim study would operate and how the Legislative Council differs from a regular interim committee. Flowers said the Legislative Council would include leadership from both parties, be staffed by the executive director and staff, and that staff members Todd Evertz and Joe Carroll would likely lay out how the prior process unfolded to inform any administrative procedures. "I think they'll be able to point us to, where they saw some shortcomings or need for more structure," Flowers said.

Flowers said his expectation is that the study will focus on administrative procedures (how a committee is formed, whether to hire outside counsel, whether to call and swear witnesses) and not necessarily require statutory changes. He also previewed a companion bill to address procurement processes and provide "more transparent structure" and accountability for leadership funds on both the House and Senate sides.

The committee took no testimony from proponents, opponents or informational witnesses before moving to executive action. A member moved that "Senate Joint Resolution number 28 do concur." The chair called the question, members voted by voice, and the chair announced the resolution passed with all present. The committee closed executive action on S.J. 28 and concluded its business on the item.

Next steps: the committee recorded concurrence in executive action; the Legislative Council will be the body asked to undertake the interim study, and Flowers signaled he will introduce a companion procurement and transparency bill at a later date.