HB432 Summary

• Increases the threshold for "minor violations" of state ethics laws from $250 to $1,500 for both economic gain and economic loss amounts.

• Raises administrative penalties for minor violations from $1,000 to $6,000 and requires administrative penalties to be at least three times the economic loss or gain involved.

• Allows criminal investigations to be initiated by State Ethics Commission vote (four members) upon written request by the director, with hearings conducted by a three-judge panel appointed by the Chief Justice.

• Clarifies that both district courts and circuit courts have jurisdiction over ethics law violations and enforcement actions.

• Modifies procedures for investigation timelines, requiring 180-day initial probable cause determinations with possible one-time 180-day extensions upon director request.