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ID H0061
Bill
Status
1/25/2013
Primary Sponsor
Phylis King
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AI Summary
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Establishes a 5-member Independent Ethics Commission in the Office of the Attorney General, with members appointed by the governor (2), attorney general (1), division of financial management (1), and legislative services office (1), with a quorum of 3 members required for business.
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Commission receives and reviews complaints from Idaho citizens regarding ethics breaches, waste of public funds, or violations of law within any governmental entity, and must hold quarterly meetings to determine whether to notify appropriate governmental entities or prosecuting attorneys of meritorious complaints.
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Commission must prepare reports on each complaint indicating whether findings of misconduct were made and communicate results to relevant governmental entities for investigation; all complaints and reports must be retained for at least 3 years.
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Personal identifying information about complainants and all complaints determined to be without merit are confidential and exempt from public disclosure; complaints with merit lose confidentiality status once the commission determines investigation is warranted.
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Prohibits disciplinary or retaliatory action against anyone reporting complaints to the commission and extends whistleblower protections under Idaho Code chapter 21, title 6; effective date is July 1, 2014.
Legislative Description
Amends and adds to existing law relating to the Independent Ethics Commission Act to define terms, to establish the Independent Ethics Commission, to provide the powers and duties of the Independent Ethics Commission, to provide that certain information, complaints and reports are confidential and exempt from disclosure and to prohibit retaliation; and to provide that certain information, complaints and reports are exempt from disclosure.
INDEPENDENT ETHICS COMMISSION ACT
Last Action
Reported Printed and Referred to State Affairs
1/28/2013