ID HR027

Repeals existing House Rule 45 and replaces it with a new rule establishing an Ethics and House Policy Committee consisting of five sitting members (three from majority caucus, two from minority) plus alternates elected by each caucus.

Committee members must have served at least one full legislative term and cannot have been previously sanctioned for ethics violations.

Ethics complaints must be submitted in writing by a current House member, and all committee proceedings are confidential, closed to the public, and exempt from public records requests unless the committee unanimously votes otherwise.

Complaints may be dismissed by a four-fifths vote of the committee; expulsion of a member requires two-thirds vote of the full House, while reprimand or censure requires a simple majority.

Amends Rule 26 to remove the provision allowing executive sessions for preliminary investigation of ethics complaints under Rule 45, reflecting that ethics matters are now handled entirely outside the open meeting requirements.