Senator Sue Wilson Beffort Sponsors Ethics Commission

WATCHED AND THEN CAUGHT—
BILL TO CREATE ETHICS COMMISSION TO DISCOURAGE UNETHICAL, ILLEGAL ACTIVITY IN STATE GOVERNMENT

SB 268- Governmental Standards Commission Act- Senator Sue Wilson Beffort


Santa Fe- Unethical and illegal activity in state government could be stopped in its tracks with the help of an ethics commission if a bill sponsored by Senator Sue Wilson Beffort becomes law.

“Unethical and illegal activity in state government could be better discouraged if those engaged in it believe there could be a better chance they are being watched, reported and caught,” Senator Wilson Beffort said. “This bill provides for confidential investigations and prohibits retaliation against those who report the unethical behavior.”

Today, Senator Wilson Beffort introduced a bill to create an independent six member ethics commission to investigate allegations of ethics violations in the executive and legislative branches of government

Senator Wilson Beffort said her bill provides for confidential investigations by the commission; if the commission dismisses a complaint it would not publicly disclose the results except upon request of the respondent.

“In the that the commission finds by clear and convincing evidence that the respondent's conduct constitutes an ethics violation, it will report to the appropriate legislative body, state agency or employer, depending on who the respondent is employed by,” Senator Wilson Beffort said.

If a criminal violation is found, the commission must refer it to the attorney general or appropriate district attorney.
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“It is important to note that the act prohibits retaliatory action against a person who in good faith files a complaint or provides testimony and makes it clear that a person who files a false claim is subject to civil and criminal sanctions,” Senator Wilson Beffort said.

Under the bill:

· Two members are appointed by the governor and one member each by the president pro-tempore, the minority floor leader in the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives and the minority floor leader of the house of representatives.

· No more than three commissioners may be members of the same political party

· The supreme court, with the assistance of the appellate judges nominating committee, submits a list of at least twenty-one qualified candidates to the governor and legislature for nomination

· Transfers Authority from Secretary of State to Standard Commission

· Transfers administration of the Governmental Conduct Act, Lobbyist Regulation Act, Financial Disclosure Act, Gift Act, Campaign Reporting Act and Voter Action Act from the Secretary of State to the Governmental Standard Commission