HCR 5 - Legislative Code of Ethics Summary

• Adopts a comprehensive Legislative Code of Ethics governing members and employees of the Ohio General Assembly, employees of legislative agencies, and candidates for the 129th General Assembly.

• Establishes financial disclosure requirements through the Legislative Inspector General's Office, including disclosure of gifts exceeding $75 annually (or $25 from legislative agents), travel expenses, and meal expenses over $100 per year.

• Prohibits members and employees from accepting certain compensation and gifts from legislative agents, including travel/lodging payments and gifts exceeding specified thresholds; limits meal payments from legislative agents to $75 annually.

• Creates a Joint Legislative Ethics Committee with authority to receive complaints, conduct investigations, hold hearings, and recommend sanctions including reprimand, censure, expulsion, or fines up to $1,000; establishes strict confidentiality protections for all proceedings and investigations.

• Restricts members from voting on legislation when they have a substantial personal interest or when they are employed by, are a business associate of, or contracted with a legislative agent actively advocating on that legislation; prohibits conversion of campaign funds for personal use and restricts certain fundraising activities.