CA SR43

Amends Senate Rule 12.3 to establish procedures for the Committee on Legislative Ethics, including composition (six Senators with bipartisan representation), appointment of Chair and Vice Chair from different parties, and a two-year term limit for Chairs.

Creates an ethics ombudsperson position to receive confidential information about potential ethical violations, facilitate complaints, and assist in preventing retaliation against informants and complainants.

Establishes comprehensive complaint and disciplinary procedures including preliminary inquiries, probable cause hearings, and disciplinary hearings with specific timelines (7 days, 30 days, 60 days) and voting thresholds for findings and sanctions.

Protects complainants and witnesses from retaliation by prohibiting Senators and officers from using official authority to intimidate, threaten, or coerce persons filing complaints or cooperating with the committee.

Amends Senate Rule 13 regarding the Committee on Rules to include authority over Senate employees and to prevent retaliation against employees reporting violations of Senate Standards of Conduct or violations of state or federal law to appropriate authorities.