Ethics commission asks for $82,452 increase and temporary panel members to avoid stalled hearings

An unnamed executive director for the State Ethics Commission told the legislative committee the agency has updated its electronic filing portals and will extend similar improvements to lobbyist filings, and asked for an $82,452 increase to its "other funds" to support the work. The director said the portal updates are being completed at no added cost to citizens but that the agency needs modest additional operating funds to maintain the improvements.