Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee |
HB 2028
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Transferring executive ethics responsibilities to the public disclosure and ethics commission.
Sponsors: Representatives Hudgins, Hunt, Appleton, Reykdal, McCoy and Darneille.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 3/31/11
Staff: Marsha Reilly (786-7135).
Background:
In 1993 the Legislature created the Commission on Ethics in Government and Campaign Practices. The commission issued a detailed report recommending enactment of new ethics rules governing state officials and state employees, as well as numerous changes to the Public Disclosure Act and to other laws dealing with political campaigns. The commission recommended that new or revised ethics rules be adopted; the new rules be consolidated into a single code of ethics; the new code apply to all state officials and employees of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of state government; and each branch have its own ethics commission which would hear and determine complaints, impose sanctions, recommend disciplinary action, and issue advisory opinions.
In response to the Commission's recommendation, the Legislature enacted the Ethics in Public Service Act in 1994. The law established new and revised ethics rules; consolidated ethics rules in a single RCW chapter; and applied the new chapter to all state officials and employees of the executive, legislative and judicial branches of state government. New ethics boards in the executive and legislative branches were created and the authority of the Commission on Judicial Conduct was expanded. Each of these entities, as well as the Attorney General, have broad powers to enforce the ethics chapter.
The Executive Ethics Board is composed of five members, each appointed by the Governor. The members must include: one classified civil service employee; one state officer or state employee in an exempt position; one citizen selected from a list of three persons submitted by the Attorney General; one citizen selected from a list of names of three persons submitted by the State Auditor; and one citizen member selected by the Governor. Members serve a single five-year term. No more than three members may be identified with the same political party. The members would elect a chair who could be any member of the board. The Attorney General provides staff to the board.
Summary of Bill:
The Executive Ethics Board is eliminated and it responsibilities and authority to enforce the ethics laws are transferred to the Public Disclosure Commission. The Public Disclosure Commission is renamed the Public Disclosure and Ethics Commission.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.