SB15-088: Independent Ethics Commission

• Permits the Independent Ethics Commission to employ or retain its own independent legal counsel for legal representation, instead of relying solely on the Attorney General's office.

• Establishes procedures for the commission to promulgate administrative rules, including public notice requirements, a minimum 21-day notice period, public hearings, and a 182-day deadline for rule adoption.

• Adds definitions to the statutory ethics code including "Article XXIX," "Commission," "Business," and "Covered Individual" (public officers, legislators, local government officials, and government employees).

• Clarifies that in commission proceedings, the commission must find a breach of fiduciary duty and public trust under its own determined standard of proof, distinct from the "beyond a reasonable doubt" standard required in district attorney prosecutions.

• Repeals provisions allowing travel reimbursement from joint governmental agencies and eliminates the Board of Ethics for the Executive Branch; makes the act effective July 1, 2015.