House Resolution No. 2 Summary

• Repeals the existing Rule 76 and establishes a new House Ethics Committee consisting of five members: three from the majority party and two from the minority party, with members selected through a two-phase caucus voting process by the twelfth day of the first legislative session.

• Committee members must have previously served at least one full term, cannot hold leadership positions (except Committee Chairmen), and cannot have been previously sanctioned for ethics violations.

• Establishes complaint procedures requiring written, sworn complaints that must include specific information about alleged violations of state law, House rules, or written legislative policies, with dismissal available for baseless, frivolous, or retaliatory complaints.

• Sets investigation deadlines of 30 days initially, extendable to 60 days by majority vote, with public hearings required if the Committee determines by four-fifths vote that a preponderance of evidence shows misconduct occurred.

• Committee may recommend dismissal, written reprimand, censure with conditions, or expulsion (requiring two-thirds House vote), with all proceedings held in executive session and kept confidential unless otherwise specified; all actions are final and not subject to judicial review.