HB 379 (2013) - Ethics

• Requires additional disclosures by persons filing full and public disclosure forms, including all financial transactions exceeding $1,000, stock trades over $1,000, property transactions over $1,000, business ownership changes, and contributions exceeding $1,000 made within one year of employment.

• Creates a searchable public database maintained by the Commission on Ethics containing financial disclosure forms, voting conflict memorandums, and gift statements that must be accessible through the commission's official webpage.

• Expands the Commission on Ethics' authority to initiate investigations based on written statements that a majority of commission members find credible concerning alleged violations or breaches of public trust, not just formal written complaints.

• Clarifies investigation and referral procedures for ethics violations involving legislators, impeachable officers, and other public employees, with committees required to report findings within 90 days.

• Takes effect July 1, 2013.