SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5194

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Government Operations & Elections, January 28, 2003

Title: An act relating to ethics investigations.

Brief Description: Increasing options in ethics investigations.

Sponsors: Senators Roach, Kastama, Johnson and Regala; by request of Legislative Ethics Board.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Government Operations & Elections: 1/28/03 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ELECTIONS

Majority Report: Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Roach, Chair; Stevens, Vice Chair; Horn, Kastama, McCaslin and Reardon.

Staff: Diane Smith (786-7410)

Background: The use of public resources for forwarding or opposing an elective candidate or a ballot issue is prohibited by the State Ethics Act. When an allegation is made that a legislator or a statewide elected official has violated this provision, the investigation must be conducted by the Attorney General.

Summary of Bill: The Legislative or the Executive Ethics Board, as appropriate, may request that the investigation of a complaint against a legislator or a statewide elected official be conducted by the Attorney General.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 28, 2003.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: When a complaint is neither so complex nor substantive that the Attorney General's involvement is required, the appropriate ethics boards can investigate internally. This provides a little quicker turnaround and a better effect on the budget.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: Mike O'Connell, Legislative Ethics Board (pro); Brian Malarky, Executive Ethics Board (pro).