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Senate advances ethics overhaul creating independent commission, narrows public‑meeting exceptions
Summary
The Utah Senate moved three linked measures forward that create an Independent Ethics Commission, limit public access during preliminary investigations and set reporting requirements; supporters said the package balances transparency with protection for accused lawmakers, while critics warned it could shield information.
The Utah Senate on Feb. 22 passed a package of measures establishing an Independent Ethics Commission and setting how complaints and records will be handled.
Senators approved first substitute Senate Bill 136, which generally makes the new Independent Ethics Commission subject to the Open Meetings Act but allows meetings to be closed when the commission is receiving or reviewing an ethics complaint or when members vote to close a meeting to receive legal advice or deliberate procedural or evidentiary matters. The sponsor, Senator Valentine, said the carve-outs are intended to protect the integrity of investigations and the reputation of accused legislators while preserving public reporting once an…
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