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Second Substitute S.J.R. 3
This document includes Senate 2nd Reading Floor Amendments incorporated into the bill on Mon, Feb 22, 2010 at 3:26 PM by rday. --> This document includes House Committee Amendments incorporated into the bill on Tue, Mar 2, 2010 at 10:07 AM by lerror. --> This document includes House Floor Amendments incorporated into the bill on Thu, Mar 4, 2010 at 11:27 AM by lerror. -->
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Cosponsors: 8 J. Stuart Adams 9 Curtis S. Bramble 10 D. Chris Buttars 11 Allen M. Christensen 12 Gene Davis 13 Margaret Dayton 14 Brent H. Goodfellow 15 Jon J. Greiner 16 Lyle W. Hillyard |
David P. Hinkins Scott K. Jenkins Patricia W. Jones Peter C. Knudson Daniel R. Liljenquist Mark B. Madsen Karen Mayne Benjamin M. McAdams Karen W. Morgan Wayne L. Niederhauser |
Ralph Okerlund Luz Robles Ross I. Romero Howard A. Stephenson Jerry W. Stevenson Dennis E. Stowell Stephen H. Urquhart Kevin T. Van Tassell Michael G. Waddoups |
18 LONG TITLE
19 General Description:
20 This bill modifies the joint legislative rules that govern the receipt and review of an
21 ethics complaint against a legislator.
22 Highlighted Provisions:
23 This resolution:
24 . establishes an Independent Legislative Ethics Commission;
25 . establishes membership for the commission;
26 . provides qualifications for membership;
27 . provides term periods and replacement procedures for a member of the commission;
28 . provides for the resignation, removal, or recusal of a member of the commission;
House Committee Amendments 3-2-2010 le/enw
Senate 2nd Reading Amendments 2-22-2010 rd/enw
29
. provides per diem for commission members;29
30 . provides procedures for calling a meeting of the commission;
30a S. . requires the commission to prepare a public summary data report on an annual
30b basis and requires that the report be submitted H. to .H a committee of the Legislature; .S
31 . provides for an independent staff to assist the commission;
32 . specifies the grounds upon which an ethics complaint may be filed against a
33 legislator;
34 . provides certain time and jurisdiction limitations on filing an ethics complaint;
35 . establishes a general outline of hearing procedures for reviewing an ethics
36 complaint;
37 . provides the chair of the commission or an ethics committee with the authority to
38 direct proceedings and make rulings;
39 . permits a majority of the commission or committee to overrule certain decisions of
40 the chair;
41 . provides subpoena powers to the commission and committees;
42 . provides procedures for issuing a subpoena;
43 . defines actions that constitute contempt of the Legislature in relation to procedures
44 established under these rules;
45 . provides procedures for enforcing findings of contempt of the Legislature;
46 . provides general procedures for the examination of a witness;
47 . establishes permitted and restricted communications by commission and committee
48 members during the period that an ethics complaint is under review;
49 . establishes rules that govern the payment of attorney fees and costs;
50 . establishes conduct requirements for an attorney appearing before the commission
51 or a committee;
52 . provides procedures for filing an ethics complaint, including:
53 . who may file a complaint;
54 . restrictions on dates for filing a complaint;
55 . the form of the complaint; and
56 . information required to be included in the complaint;
57 . prohibits any person from disclosing the existence or contents of an ethics
58 complaint while the commission is reviewing the complaint with certain exceptions;
59 . requires a complaint to be filed with the Senate or House Ethics Committee;
60
61 . modifies provisions for the recusal of an ethics committee member;
62 . requires the chair and vice chair of the committee to review the complaint for
63 technical compliance with filing rules;
64 . requires a new complaint to be filed if the original complaint fails to meet filing
65 requirements;
66 . requires the chair and vice chair of an ethics committee to forward a complaint that
67 meets the filing requirements to the Independent Legislative Ethics Commission;
68 . provides that the commission shall conduct the original review of each ethics
69 complaint;
70 . provides that commission meetings and hearings shall be closed to the public;
71 . permits the commission or an ethics committee to dismiss allegations that have
72 previously been heard by the commission or an ethics committee;
73 . provides procedures for the commission to schedule a meeting to review an ethics
74 complaint;
75 . permits the accused legislator, referred to as the respondent, to file a response to the
76 complaint;
77 . establishes procedures and requirements for filing a response;
78 . permits the commission to hold meetings on preliminary matters in relation to a
79 complaint before holding the formal review of the complaint;
80 . provides that the scope of the committee's authority is limited to review of those
81 allegations contained in the complaint;
82 . provides procedures for the commission's review of the complaint;
83 . permits the commission to consult on certain issues with commission staff outside
84 of the presence of parties and their counsel;
85 . prohibits third party recording of commission meetings, except under limited
86 circumstances;
87 . requires that all portions of the commission's meetings be recorded;
88 . provides procedures for storing a record of commission meetings;
89 . provides that recordings and records of commission meetings are to be classified as
90 private records under the Government Records Access and Management Act;
91
92 complaint;
93 . provides standards of evidence and voting procedures to be used by the commission
94 in determining whether each allegation in a compliant is proved or not proved;
95 . requires the commission to dismiss allegations that are not found to be proved;
96 . if one or more allegation is found to be proved, requires the commission to:
97 . refer the proved allegations to the Senate Ethics Committee or the House Ethics
98 Committee; and
99 . prepare a recommendation, a modified complaint, and a modified response for
100 public release and submission to the ethics committee for review;
101 . provides procedures for the ethics committee's review of allegations submitted by
102 the commission;
103 . provides that committee meetings for review of the allegations submitted by the
104 commission are subject to the Open and Public Meetings Act;
105 . permits the committee to close the meeting for discussion of certain matters;
106 . prohibits third party recording of committee meetings, except under limited
107 circumstances;
108 . requires that all portions of the committee's meetings be recorded;
109 . provides procedures for storing a record of committee meetings;
110 . provides procedures for the committee's deliberations;
111 . provides standards of evidence and voting procedures to be used by a committee in
112 determining whether each allegation referred to the committee by the commission is
113 proved or not proved;
114 . requires a committee to dismiss allegations that are not found to be proved;
115 . requires a committee to publicly issue a finding and order on the allegations;
116 . if one or more allegation is found to be proved, requires the committee to:
117 . vote on a recommended consequence for the violation, including censure,
118 expulsion, or denial of any of the respondent's rights or privileges; and
119 . refer the finding and order to the membership of the House or Senate; and
120 . makes technical changes.
121 Special Clauses:
122
123 Legislative Rules Affected:
124 AMENDS:
125 JR6-2-101
126 JR6-2-102
127 JR6-2-201
128 JR6-3-101
129 JR6-4-101
130 JR6-4-102
131 JR6-4-201
132 ENACTS:
133 JR6-2-103
134 JR6-2-104
135 JR6-2-301
136 JR6-2-302
137 JR6-2-303
138 JR6-2-304
139 JR6-2-305
140 JR6-2-306
141 JR6-2-307
142 JR6-3-102
143 JR6-4-103
144 REPEALS AND REENACTS:
145 JR6-2-202
146 JR6-4-202
147 JR6-4-203
148 JR6-4-204
149 JR6-4-301
150 JR6-4-302
151 JR6-4-303
152 JR6-4-304
153
154 JR6-4-306
155 REPEALS:
156 JR6-4-205
157 JR6-4-206
158 JR6-4-207
159 JR6-4-307
160 JR6-4-308
161 JR6-4-309
162 JR6-4-310
163
164 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
165 Section 1. JR6-2-101 is amended to read:
166
167
168
169 JR6-2-101. Ethics Committees -- Membership.
170 (1) There is established a Senate Ethics Committee and a House Ethics Committee.
171 (2) The Senate Ethics Committee shall be composed of:
172 (a) the chair and three additional [
173 Senate; and
174 (b) the [
175 Senate minority leader.
176 (3) The House Ethics Committee shall be composed of:
177 (a) the chair and three additional [
178 of the House of Representatives; and
179 (b) the [
180 by the House minority leader.
181 (4) [
182 term.
183 (5) (a) If a [
184
185 ethics committee is accused of wrongdoing in a complaint to be reviewed by the committee, or
186 if a member of an ethics committee determines that he or she has a conflict of interest in
187 relation to a complaint to be reviewed by the ethics committee, a member of the Senate or
188 House [
189 is under review[
190 (i) except as provided in Subsection (5)(a)(ii), the member shall be appointed by the
191 person who appointed the member who is being temporarily replaced, consistent with
192 Subsection (2), for a member of the Senate Ethics Committee, or Subsection (3), for the House
193 Ethics Committee; or
194 (ii) if the person designated to make the appointment under Subsection (5)(a)(i) is
195 accused of wrongdoing in the complaint or determines that he or she has a conflict of interest in
196 relation to the complaint, the appointment shall be made by:
197 (A) the Senate majority leader, if the person designated is the President of the Senate;
198 (B) the Senate minority whip, if the person designated is the Senate minority leader;
199 (C) the House majority leader, if the person designated is the Speaker of the House; or
200 (D) the House minority whip, if the person designated is the House minority leader.
201 (b) The temporary committee member's term ends when the committee has concluded
202 its review of the complaint.
203 Section 2. JR6-2-102 is amended to read:
204 JR6-2-102. Ethics Committee -- Meetings and Staff.
205 (1) The Senate and House Ethics Committees shall operate as both standing and
206 interim committees.
207 (2) The committees shall meet as necessary, either as called at:
208 (a) the discretion of the chair; or
209 (b) by a majority vote of the committee.
210 (3) A majority of the committee is a quorum.
211 (4) The staff of [
212 (a) the director of the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel;
213 (b) the Legislative General Counsel; and
214 (c) any other [
215
216 Section 3. JR6-2-103 is enacted to read:
217 JR6-2-103. Independent Legislative Ethics Commission -- Membership.
218 (1) There is established an Independent Legislative Ethics Commission.
219 (2) The commission is composed of five persons, each of whom is registered to vote in
220 this state, appointed as follows:
221 (a) two members, who have served, but no longer serve, as judges of a court of record
222 in this state, each of whom shall be nominated by the mutual consent of the President of the
223 Senate and the Speaker of the House, and appointed by a majority vote of the President of the
224 Senate, Speaker of the House, Senate minority leader, and House minority leader;
225 (b) one member, who has served, but no longer serves, as a judge of a court of record
226 in this state, nominated by the mutual consent of the Senate minority leader and the House
227 minority leader, and appointed by a majority vote of the President of the Senate, Speaker of the
228 House, Senate minority leader, and House minority leader;
229 (c) one member, who has served as a member of the Legislature in this state no more
230 recently than four years before the date of appointment, appointed by the mutual consent of the
231 President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and
232 (d) one member, who has served as a member of the Legislature in this state no more
233 recently than four years before the date of appointment, appointed by the mutual consent of the
234 Senate minority leader and House minority leader.
235 (3) A member of the commission may not, during the member's term of office on the
236 commission, act or serve as:
237 (a) an officeholder as defined in Section 20A-11-101 ;
238 (b) an agency head as defined in Section 67-16-3 ;
239 (c) a lobbyist as defined in Section 36-11-102 ; or
240 (d) a principal as defined in Section 36-11-102 .
241 (4) (a) (i) Except as provided in Subsection (4)(a)(ii), each member of the commission
242 shall serve a four-year term.
243 (ii) When appointing the initial members upon formation of the commission, one
244 member nominated by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of
245 Representatives and one member nominated by the Senate minority leader and House minority
246
247 appointed every two years.
248 (b) (i) When a vacancy occurs in the commission's membership for any reason, a
249 replacement member shall be appointed for the unexpired term of the vacating member using
250 the procedures and requirements of Subsection (2).
251 (ii) For the purposes of this rule, an appointment for an unexpired term of a vacating
252 member is not considered a full term.
253 (c) A member may not be appointed to serve for more than two full terms, whether
254 those terms are two or four years.
255 (d) A member of the commission may resign from the commission by giving one
256 month's written notice of the resignation to the President of the Senate, Speaker of the House,
257 Senate minority leader, and House minority leader.
258 (e) The chair of the Legislative Management Committee shall remove a member from
259 the commission if the member:
260 (i) is convicted of, or enters a plea of guilty to, a crime involving moral turpitude;
261 (ii) enters a plea of no contest or a plea in abeyance to a crime involving moral
262 turpitude; or
263 (iii) fails to meet the qualifications of office as provided in this rule.
264 (f) If a commission member is accused of wrongdoing in a complaint, or if a
265 commission member determines that he or she has a conflict of interest in relation to a
266 complaint, a temporary commission member shall be appointed to serve in that member's place
267 for the purposes of reviewing that complaint using the procedures and requirements of
268 Subsection (2).
269 (5) (a) A member of the commission may not receive compensation or benefits for the
270 member's service, but may receive per diem and expenses incurred in the performance of the
271 member's official duties at the rates established by the Division of Finance under Sections
272 63A-3-106 and 63A-3-107 .
273 (b) A member may decline to receive per diem and expenses for the member's service.
274 (6) (a) The commission members shall convene a meeting annually each January and
275 elect, by a majority vote, a commission chair from among the commission members.
276 (b) A person may not serve as chair for more than two consecutive years.
Senate 2nd Reading Amendments 2-22-2010 rd/enw
277
Section 4.
JR6-2-104
is enacted to read:277
278 JR6-2-104. Independent Legislative Ethics Commission -- Meetings -- Staff.
279 (1) The Independent Legislative Ethics Commission shall meet for the purpose of
280 reviewing an ethics complaint when:
281 (a) except otherwise expressly provided in this title, called to meet at the discretion of
282 the chair; or
283 (b) called to meet by a majority vote of the commission.
284 (2) A majority of the commission is a quorum.
285 (3) (a) S. The commission shall prepare, on an annual basis, a summary data report
285a that contains:
285b (i) a general description of the activities of the commission during the past year;
285c (ii) the number of ethics complaints filed with the commission;
285d (iii) the number of ethics complaints reviewed by the commission;
285e (iv) the number of complaints filed against a member of the House of Representatives;
285f (v) the number of complaints filed against a member of the Senate;
285g (vi) a summary description of any ethics complaints that were recommended by the
285h commission for review by a Legislative ethics committee; and
285i (vii) an accounting of the commission's budget and expenditures.
285j (b) The summary data report shall be submitted to an appropriate committee of the
285k Legislature on an annual basis.
285l (c) The summary data report shall be a public record.
285m (4)(a) .S The Senate and the House of Representatives shall employ staff for the
286 commission at a level that is reasonable to assist the commission in performing its duties as
287 established in this chapter.
288 (b) The Legislative Management Committee shall:
289 (i) authorize each staff position for the commission; and
290 (ii) approve the employment of each staff member for the commission.
291 (c) Staff for the commission shall work only for the commission and may not perform
292 services for the Senate, House of Representatives, or other legislative offices.
293 Section 5. JR6-2-201 is amended to read:
294
295 JR6-2-201. Authority to Review Complaints -- Grounds for Complaint --
296 Limitations on Filings.
297 [
Senate 2nd Reading Amendments 2-22-2010 rd/enw
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[298
299
300
301
302
303 Commission are authorized to review an ethics complaint against a legislator if the complaint
304 alleges:
305 (a) a violation of the Code of Official Conduct as provided in JR6-1-102;
306 (b) a conviction of, or a plea of guilty to, a crime involving moral turpitude; or
307 (c) a plea of no contest or a plea in abeyance to a crime involving moral turpitude.
308
309 within two years of the date that the action or omission that forms the basis of the alleged
310 violation occurred or within two years of the date that the action or omission would have been
311 discovered by a reasonable person.
312 (b) For an alleged violation under Subsection (1)(b) or (1)(c), the complaint shall be
313 filed within two years of the date that the plea or conviction that forms the basis of the
314 allegation was entered.
315 (3) (a) A complaint may not contain an allegation if that allegation and the general
316 facts and circumstances supporting that allegation have been previously reviewed by the
317 commission or an ethics committee unless:
318 (i) the allegation was previously reviewed by the commission and dismissed without
319 being referred to an ethics committee for review;
320 (ii) the allegation is accompanied by material facts or circumstances supporting the
321 allegation that were not raised or pled to the commission when the allegation was previously
322 reviewed; and
323 (iii) the allegation and the general facts and circumstances supporting that allegation
324 have only been reviewed by the commission on one previous occasion.
325 (b) If an allegation in the complaint does not comply with the requirements of
326 Subsection (3)(a), the committee chairs, when reviewing the complaint under JR6-4-101, or the
327 commission, shall summarily dismiss that allegation with prejudice.
328 Section 6. JR6-2-202 is repealed and reenacted to read:
329 JR6-2-202. General Powers -- Jurisdiction.
330 (1) The commission and the committees have jurisdiction only over an individual who
331 is currently serving in the Legislature.
332 (2) The commission and the committees shall dismiss an ethics complaint if the
333 respondent legislator resigns from the Legislature.
334 Section 7. JR6-2-301 is enacted to read:
335
336 JR6-2-301. General Procedures for Conducting a Hearing on an Ethics
337 Complaint.
338 (1) In conducting a hearing on a complaint, the Independent Legislative Ethics
339
340 in the order specified:
341 (a) introduction and instructions for procedure and process, at the discretion of the
342 chair;
343 (b) complainants' opening argument, to be presented by a complainant or complainants'
344 counsel;
345 (c) complainants' presentation of evidence and witnesses in support of allegations in
346 the complaint;
347 (d) consideration of motions to dismiss the complaint or motions for a directed verdict,
348 as applicable;
349 (e) respondent's opening argument, to be presented by the respondent or respondent's
350 counsel;
351 (f) respondent's presentation of evidence and witnesses refuting allegations in the
352 complaint;
353 (g) presentation of rebuttal evidence and witnesses by the complainants, at the
354 discretion of the chair;
355 (h) presentation of rebuttal evidence and witnesses by the respondent, at the discretion
356 of the chair;
357 (i) complainants' closing argument, to be presented by a complainant or complainants'
358 counsel;
359 (j) respondent's closing argument, to be presented by the respondent or respondent's
360 counsel;
361 (k) deliberations by the commission or committee; and
362 (l) adoption of the commission's or committee's findings.
363 (2) The commission or an ethics committee may, in extraordinary circumstances, vary
364 the order contained in Subsection (1) by majority vote and by providing notice to the parties.
365 (3) The chair may schedule the examination of a witness or evidence subpoenaed at the
366 request of the chair or the committee under JR6-2-303 at the chair's discretion.
367 Section 8. JR6-2-302 is enacted to read:
368 JR6-2-302. Chair as Presiding Judge.
369 (1) Except as expressly provided otherwise in this title, the chair of the Independent
370
371 vested with the power to direct the commission or committee during meetings authorized by
372 this title.
373 (2) Unless expressly prohibited from doing so under this title, the commission or
374 committee may overrule a decision of the chair by using the following procedure:
375 (a) If a member objects to a decision of the chair, that member may appeal the decision
376 by stating:
377 (i) "I appeal the decision of the chair."; and
378 (ii) the basis for the objection.
379 (b) This motion is nondebatable.
380 (c) The chair shall direct a roll call vote to determine if the commission or committee
381 supports the decision of the chair.
382 (d) A majority vote of the commission or committee is necessary to overrule the
383 decision of the chair.
384 (3) The chair may set time limitations on any part of a meeting or hearing authorized
385 by this title.
386 Section 9. JR6-2-303 is enacted to read:
387 JR6-2-303. Subpoena Powers.
388 (1) For all proceedings authorized by this title, the Independent Legislative Ethics
389 Commission or the Senate or House Ethics Committee may issue a subpoena to:
390 (a) require the attendance of a witness;
391 (b) direct the production of evidence; or
392 (c) require both the attendance of a witness and the production of evidence.
393 (2) The commission shall issue a subpoena under this rule:
394 (a) as required under JR6-2-305;
395 (b) at the direction of the commission chair, if the chair determines that the testimony
396 or evidence is relevant to the review of a complaint under Chapter 4, Part 2, Review of Ethics
397 Complaint by the Independent Legislative Ethics Commission; or
398 (c) upon a vote of a majority of the commission members.
399 (3) An ethics committee shall issue a subpoena under this rule:
400 (a) as required under JR6-2-305;
401
402 determines that the testimony or evidence is relevant to review of a complaint under Chapter 4,
403 Part 3, Review of Ethics Complaint by Ethics Committee; or
404 (c) upon a vote of a majority of the committee members.
405 (4) The Director of the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel shall issue
406 a subpoena on behalf of an ethics committee when requested to do so by one of the persons or
407 entities authorized to do so under Subsection (3).
408 Section 10. JR6-2-304 is enacted to read:
409 JR6-2-304. Contempt of the Legislature.
410 (1) (a) The following actions constitute contempt of the Legislature in relation to
411 actions and proceedings under this title:
412 (i) disobedience to a direction of the commission chair;
413 (ii) disobedience to a direction of an ethics committee chair;
414 (iii) failure to answer a question during a hearing when directed to do so by:
415 (A) the commission chair, unless the direction is overridden by the commission under
416 JR6-2-302;
417 (B) an ethics committee chair, unless the direction is overridden by the committee
418 under JR6-2-302; or
419 (C) a majority of the commission or committee; or
420 (iv) failure to comply with a subpoena or other order issued under authority of this
421 title;
422 (v) violation of privacy provisions established by JR6-3-102;
423 (vi) violation of the communication provisions established by JR6-2-306;
424 (vii) violation of a request to comply with a provision of this title by a chair or a
425 majority of the members of the commission or committee; or
426 (viii) any other ground that is specified in statute or recognized at common law.
427 (b) Because the purpose of the Fifth Amendment privilege not to incriminate oneself is
428 to prevent prosecution for criminal action, it is improper for a witness to invoke the Fifth
429 Amendment privilege if the witness cannot be prosecuted for the crime to which the witness's
430 testimony relates.
431 (2) (a) The following persons may authorize an enforcement action against a person in
432
433 (i) the commission chair, subject to the provisions of JR6-2-302;
434 (ii) members of the commission, by means of a majority vote;
435 (iii) an ethics committee chair, subject to the provisions of JR6-2-302; or
436 (iv) members of an ethics committee, by means of a majority vote.
437 (b) In initiating and pursuing an action against an individual for contempt of the
438 Legislature, the plaintiff shall comply with the procedures and requirements of Section
439 36-14-5 .
440 Section 11. JR6-2-305 is enacted to read:
441 JR6-2-305. Testimony and Examination of Witnesses -- Oath -- Procedure --
442 Contempt.
443 (1) (a) The chair shall ensure that each witness listed in the complaint and response is
444 subpoenaed for appearance at the hearing unless:
445 (i) the witness is unable to be properly identified or located; or
446 (ii) service is otherwise determined to be impracticable.
447 (b) The chair shall determine the scheduling and order of witnesses and presentation of
448 evidence.
449 (c) The commission or committee may, by majority vote:
450 (i) overrule the chair's decision not to subpoena a witness under Subsection (1)(a);
451 (ii) modify the chair's determination on the scheduling and order of witnesses under
452 Subsection (1)(b);
453 (iii) decline to hear or call a witness that has been requested by the complainant or
454 respondent;
455 (iv) decline to review or consider evidence submitted in relation to an ethics complaint;
456 or
457 (v) request and subpoena witnesses or evidence according to the procedures of
458 JR6-2-303.
459 (2) (a) Each witness shall testify under oath.
460 (b) The chair or the chair's designee shall administer the oath to each witness.
461 (3) After the oath has been administered to the witness, the chair shall direct testimony
462 as follows:
463
464 witness;
465 (b) allow the opposing party, or that party's counsel, to cross-examine the witness;
466 (c) allow additional questioning by a party or a party's counsel as appropriate;
467 (d) give commission or committee members the opportunity to question the witness;
468 and
469 (e) as appropriate, allow further examination of the witness by the commission or
470 committee, or the parties or their counsel.
471 (4) (a) If the witness, a party, or a party's counsel objects to a question, the chair shall:
472 (i) direct the witness to answer; or
473 (ii) rule that the witness is not required to answer the question.
474 (b) If the witness declines to answer a question after the chair or a majority of the
475 commission or committee determines that the witness is required to answer the question, the
476 witness may be held in contempt as provided in JR6-2-304.
477 (5) (a) The chair or a majority of the members of the commission or committee may
478 direct a witness to furnish any relevant evidence for consideration if the witness has brought
479 the material voluntarily or has been required to bring it by subpoena.
480 (b) If the witness declines to provide evidence in response to a subpoena, the witness
481 may be held in contempt as provided in JR6-2-304.
482 Section 12. JR6-2-306 is enacted to read:
483 JR6-2-306. Communications of Commission and Committee Members.
484 (1) As used in this section, "third party" means:
485 (a) for a member of the Independent Legislative Ethics Commission, a person who is
486 not a member of the commission or staff to the commission; or
487 (b) for a member of an ethics committee, a person who is not a member of the
488 committee or staff to the committee.
489 (2) While a complaint is under review by the commission or an ethics committee, a
490 member of that commission or committee may not initiate or consider any communications
491 concerning the complaint with a third party unless:
492 (a) the communication is expressly permitted under the procedures established by this
493 title; or
494
495 (i) all members of the commission or committee; and
496 (ii) a staff member of the commission or committee.
497 (3) (a) While the commission is reviewing a complaint under this title, a commission
498 member may communicate outside of the meetings, hearing, or deliberations with another
499 member of, or staff to, the commission, only if the member's communication does not
500 materially compromise the member's responsibility to independently review and make
501 decisions in relation to the complaint.
502 (b) While a committee is reviewing a complaint under this title, a committee member
503 may communicate outside of the meeting, hearing, or deliberations with another member of, or
504 staff to, the committee, only if the member's communication does not materially compromise
505 the member's responsibility to independently review and make decisions in relation to the
506 complaint.
507 (4) While a complaint is under review by an ethics committee, a member of the
508 commission may not comment publicly or privately about the commission's decision,
509 reasoning, or other matters relating to the ethics complaint, but may provide or refer a
510 questioner to the commission's written recommendation.
511 Section 13. JR6-2-307 is enacted to read:
512 JR6-2-307. Attorney Fees and Costs.
513 (1) A person filing a complaint under this title:
514 (a) may, but is not required to, retain legal representation during the complaint review
515 process; and
516 (b) is responsible for payment of complainants' attorney fees and costs incurred.
517 (2) (a) A legislator against whom a complaint is filed under this title:
518 (i) may, but is not required to, retain legal representation during the complaint review
519 process; and
520 (ii) is responsible for that legislator's own attorney fees and costs involved, except as
521 provided in Subsection (2)(b).
522 (b) The Senate, for a Senator, or the House of Representatives, for a Representative,
523 shall pay the reasonable attorney fees and costs incurred by a legislator against whom a
524 complaint is filed under this title if:
525
526 reviewed by an ethics committee; or
527 (ii) an ethics committee determines that none of the allegations in the complaint that
528 were recommended for review by the commission have been proved.
529 (3) (a) An attorney participating in a hearing before the commission or an ethics
530 committee shall comply with:
531 (i) the Rules of Professional Conduct established by the Utah Supreme Court;
532 (ii) the procedures and requirements of this title; and
533 (iii) the directions of the chairs, commission, and ethics committees.
534 (b) Violations of Subsection (3)(a) may constitute:
535 (i) contempt of the Legislature under JR6-2-304; or
536 (ii) a violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct subject to enforcement by the Utah
537 State Bar.
538 Section 14. JR6-3-101 is amended to read:
539
540
541 JR6-3-101. Ethics Complaints -- Filing -- Form.
542 [
543
544 (1) (a) The following individuals, who shall be referred to as the complainants, may
545 file a complaint against an individual legislator if the complaint meets the requirements of
546 JR6-2-201 and Subsection (1)(b):
547 (i) two or more members of the House of Representatives, for a complaint against a
548 Representative, provided that the complaint contains evidence or sworn testimony that:
549 (A) sets forth facts and circumstances supporting the alleged violation; and
550 (B) is evidence or sworn testimony of the type that would generally be admissible
551 under the Utah Rules of Evidence;
552 (ii) two or more members of the Senate, for a complaint against a Senator, provided
553 that the complaint contains evidence or sworn testimony that:
554 (A) sets forth facts and circumstances supporting the alleged violation; and
555 (B) is evidence or sworn testimony of the type that would generally be admissible
556
557 (iii) two or more registered voters currently residing within Utah, if, for each alleged
558 violation pled in the complaint, at least one of those registered voters has actual knowledge of
559 the facts and circumstances supporting the alleged violation.
560 (b) A complainant may file a complaint only against an individual who is serving as a
561 member of the Legislature on the date that the complaint is filed.
562 (2) (a) Complainants shall file a complaint with:
563 [
564 Ethics Committee, if the complaint is against a [
565 [
566 Ethics Committee, if the complaint is against a [
567 Representatives.
568 (b) An individual may not file a complaint during the 60 calendar days immediately
569 preceding:
570 (i) a regular primary election, if the accused legislator is a candidate in the primary
571 election; or
572 (ii) a regular general election in which the accused legislator is a candidate, unless the
573 accused legislator is unopposed in the election.
574 [
575 complainants shall ensure that each complaint filed under this rule is in writing and contains
576 the following information:
577 [
578 violation, who [
579 [
580
581
582
583 [
584 each alleged violation:
585 [
586 [
587
588 (A) the section of the code of conduct alleged to have been violated; or
589 (B) the criminal provision violated and the docket number of the case involving the
590 legislator;
591 (ii) the name of the complainant or complainants who have actual knowledge of the
592 facts and circumstances supporting each allegation;
593 (iii) the facts and circumstances supporting each allegation, which shall be provided
594 by:
595 (A) copies of official records or documentary evidence; or
596 (B) one or more affidavits, each of which shall comply with the following format:
597 (I) the name, address, and telephone number of the signer;
598 (II) a statement that the signer has actual knowledge of the facts and circumstances
599 alleged in the affidavit;
600 (III) the facts and circumstances testified to by the signer;
601 (IV) a statement that the affidavit is believed to be true and correct and that false
602 statements are subject to penalties of perjury; and
603 (V) the signature of the signer;
604 (d) a list of the witnesses that the complainants wish to have called, including for each
605 witness:
606 (i) the name, address, and, if available, one or more telephone numbers of the witness;
607 (ii) a brief summary of the testimony to be provided by the witness; and
608 (iii) a specific description of any documents or evidence complainants desire the
609 witness to produce;
610 (e) a statement that each complainant:
611 (i) has reviewed the allegations contained in the complaint and the sworn statements
612 and documents attached to the complaint;
613 (ii) believes that the complaint is submitted in good faith and not for any improper
614 purpose such as for the purpose of harassing the respondent, causing unwarranted harm to the
615 respondent's reputation, or causing unnecessary expenditure of public funds; and
616 (iii) believes the allegations contained in the complaint to be true and accurate; and
617 (f) the signature of each complainant.
618
619
620
621 Section 15. JR6-3-102 is enacted to read:
622 JR6-3-102. Privacy of Ethics Complaints -- Contempt -- Enforcement of Finding
623 of Contempt -- Dismissal.
624 (1) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (1)(b) or (c), a person, including the
625 complainants, the respondent, commission members, a committee chair or vice chair, or staff to
626 the commission or a committee, may not disclose the existence of a complaint, a response, nor
627 any information concerning any alleged violation that is the subject of a complaint.
628 (b) The restrictions in Subsection (1)(a) do not apply to:
629 (i) a complaint or response that is publicly released by the commission and referred to
630 an ethics committee for review under the procedures and requirements of JR6-4-204, and the
631 allegations contained in the publicly released complaint or response; or
632 (ii) the respondent's voluntary disclosure of a finding by the commission that no
633 allegations in a complaint were proved, after that finding is issued by the commission under the
634 procedures and requirements of JR6-4-204.
635 (c) Nothing in this rule prevents a person from disclosing facts or allegations about
636 potential criminal violations to law enforcement authorities.
637 (2) A person who violates the provisions of Subsection (1)(a) is in contempt of the
638 Legislature and proceedings may be initiated to enforce the finding of contempt using the
639 procedures provided in JR6-2-304 and Section 36-14-5 .
640 (3) If the existence of an ethics complaint is publicly disclosed during the period that
641 the Independent Legislative Ethics Commission is reviewing the complaint, the complaint shall
642 be summarily dismissed without prejudice.
643 Section 16. JR6-4-101 is amended to read:
644
645
646 JR6-4-101. Review of Ethics Complaint for Compliance with Form Requirements
647 -- Independent Requirements for Complaint -- Notice of Complaint to Commission
648 Members.
649
650 [
651 chair and [
652 compliance with JR6-2-201 and JR6-3-101.
653 [
654 complaint does not comply with JR6-2-201 or JR6-3-101, the chair shall return the complaint
655 to the [
656 (i) a statement detailing the reason for the non-compliance; and
657 (ii) a copy of the applicable legislative rules [
658 [
659 this title, the complainants may [
660 independently meets the requirements of JR6-3-101, including any requirements for timely
661 filing.
662 [
663 with [
664 [
665 [
666 Independent Legislative Ethics Commission that the complaint has been filed and accepted;
667 and
668 [
669 forward the complaint[
670 [
671
672
673
674 (i) the commission; and
675 (ii) the legislator who is the subject of the ethics complaint via personal delivery or a
676 delivery method that provides verification of receipt, together with a copy of the applicable
677 legislative rules and notice of the legislator's deadline for filing a response to the complaint.
678 Section 17. JR6-4-102 is amended to read:
679 JR6-4-102. Meeting of the Independent Legislative Ethics Commission for
680
681 [
682 By no later than 10 calendar days after the day on which the complaint is accepted
683 under JR6-4-101, the commission chair shall:
684 [
685 than 60 calendar days after the date on which the committee chair and vice chair accept the
686 complaint;
687 [
688 [
689 [
690 [
691
692 [
693 [
694
695 [
696 [
697
698 [
699
700
701 (3) provide notice of the date, time, and location of the meeting to:
702 (a) the members of the commission;
703 (b) the first complainant named in the complaint; and
704 (c) the respondent; and
705 (4) provide a copy of the complaint to each member of the commission.
706 Section 18. JR6-4-103 is enacted to read:
707 JR6-4-103. Response to Ethics Complaint -- Filing -- Form.
708 (1) The legislator that is the subject of the complaint may file a response to the
709 complaint no later than 30 days after the day on which the legislator receives delivery of the
710 complaint.
711
712 the response is in writing and contains the following information:
713 (a) the name, address, and telephone number of the respondent;
714 (b) for each alleged violation in the complaint:
715 (i) each affirmative defense asserted in response to the allegation, including a general
716 description of each affirmative defense and the facts and circumstances supporting the defense
717 to be provided by one or more affidavits, each of which shall comply with the following
718 format:
719 (A) the name, address, and telephone number of the signer;
720 (B) a statement that the signer has actual knowledge of the facts and circumstances
721 alleged in the affidavit;
722 (C) the facts and circumstances testified to by the signer;
723 (D) a statement that the affidavit is believed to be true and correct and that false
724 statements are subject to penalties of perjury; and
725 (E) the signature of the signer;
726 (ii) the facts and circumstances refuting the allegation, which shall be provided by:
727 (A) copies of official records or documentary evidence; or
728 (B) one or more affidavits, each of which shall comply with the following format:
729 (I) the name, address, and telephone number of the signer;
730 (II) a statement that the signer has actual knowledge of the facts and circumstances
731 alleged in the affidavit;
732 (III) the facts and circumstances testified to by the signer;
733 (IV) a statement that the affidavit is believed to be true and correct and that false
734 statements are subject to penalties of perjury; and
735 (V) the signature of the signer;
736 (c) a list of the witnesses that the respondent wishes to have called, including for each
737 witness:
738 (i) the name, address, and, if available, telephone number of the witness;
739 (ii) a brief summary of the testimony to be provided by the witness; and
740 (iii) a specific description of any documents or evidence the respondent desires the
741 witness to produce;
742
743 (i) has reviewed the allegations contained in the complaint and the sworn statements
744 and documents attached to the response; and
745 (ii) believes the contents of the response to be true and accurate; and
746 (e) the signature of the respondent.
747 (3) Promptly after receiving the response, the commission shall provide copies of the
748 response to:
749 (a) each member of the commission; and
750 (b) the first named complainant on the complaint.
751 Section 19. JR6-4-201 is amended to read:
752
753 JR6-4-201. Review of Ethics Complaint by the Independent Legislative Ethics
754 Commission.
755 (1) The scope of the [
756 Commission's review is limited to the alleged violations stated in the complaint.
757 [
758 (2) (a) Before holding the meeting for review of the complaint, the commission chair
759 may schedule a separate meeting of the commission for the purposes of:
760 (i) hearing motions or arguments from the parties, including hearing motions or
761 arguments relating to dismissal of a complaint, admission of evidence, or procedures;
762 (ii) holding a vote of the commission, with or without the attendance of the parties, on
763 procedural or commission business matters relating to a complaint; or
764 (iii) reviewing a complaint, with or without the attendance of the parties, to determine
765 if the complaint should be dismissed in whole or in part, by means of a majority vote of the
766 commission, because it pleads facts or circumstances against a legislator that have already been
767 reviewed by the commission or an ethics committee as provided in JR6-2-201.
768 (b) Notwithstanding JR6-4-102, the commission may, by a majority vote, change the
769 date of the meeting for review of the complaint in order to accommodate:
770 (i) a meeting authorized under Subsection (2)(a); or
771 (ii) necessary scheduling requirements.
772 (3) (a) The commission shall comply with the Utah Rules of Evidence except where
773
774 requirements of this title.
775 (b) The [
776
777 provisions of JR6-2-302.
778 [
779
780
781
782 (4) (a) [
783 are closed to the public.
784 (b) The [
785 present during the presentation of testimony and evidence to the [
786 [
787
788 [
789
790 [
791
792
793 [
794
795
796 [
797
798 (i) the complainants, except that no more than three complainants may be present at
799 one time;
800 (ii) complainants' counsel, if applicable;
801 (iii) the respondent;
802 (iv) the respondent's counsel, if applicable;
803 (v) members of the commission;
804
805 (vii) a witness, while testifying before the commission; and
806 (viii) necessary security personnel.
807 (c) The complainants, respondent, and their respective counsel may be excluded from a
808 portion of the meeting when the commission discusses administrative, procedural, legal, or
809 evidentiary issues by:
810 (i) the order of the chair, subject to override as provided in JR6-2-302; or
811 (ii) a majority vote of the commission.
812 (d) When the commission deliberates at the conclusion of presentation of testimony
813 and evidence, the commission shall ensure that those deliberations are closed to all persons
814 except for the members of the commission and commission staff.
815 [
816 necessary to obtain further evidence and testimony [
817 administrative needs, or to accommodate the attendance of commission members, witnesses, or
818 a party, the [
819 (a) adjourn and continue the [
820 time after notice to the parties; and
821 (b) establish that future date and time by majority vote.
822 Section 20. JR6-4-202 is repealed and reenacted to read:
823 JR6-4-202. Record -- Recording of Meetings.
824 (1) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (1)(b), an individual may not use a camera or
825 other recording device in any meeting authorized by this part.
826 (b) (i) The commission shall keep an audio or video recording of all portions of each
827 meeting authorized by this part.
828 (ii) If the commission elects, by a majority vote, to release the commission's
829 recommendation in a public meeting, the meeting may, upon a majority vote of the
830 commission, be opened to cameras or other recording devices.
831 (2) In addition to the recording required in Subsection (1), the chair shall ensure that a
832 record of the meeting or hearing is made, which shall include:
833 (a) official minutes taken during the meeting or hearing, if any;
834 (b) copies of all documents or other items admitted into evidence by the commission;
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835
(c) copies of any documents or written orders or rulings issued by the chair or the835
836 commission; and
837 (d) any other information that a majority of the commission or the chair directs.
838 (3) Except for the recommendation prepared by the commission, which shall be either
839 a private or public record as determined in JR6-4-204, any recording, testimony, evidence, or
840 other record of a meeting authorized by this part is a private record under Section 63G-2-302
841 and may not be disclosed.
842 Section 21. JR6-4-203 is repealed and reenacted to read:
843 JR6-4-203. Process for Making a Decision -- Deliberations.
844 (1) After each party has presented a closing argument, the commission shall, at the
845 direction of the chair, begin its private deliberations:
846 (a) immediately after conclusion of the closing arguments; or
847 (b) at a future meeting of the commission, on a date and time determined by a majority
848 of the members of the commission.
849 (2) (a) The chair of the commission shall conduct the deliberations.
850 (b) Upon a motion made H. by .H a commission member, the commission may exclude
851 commission staff from all or a portion of the deliberations by a majority vote of the
852 commission.
853 (3) (a) During deliberations, for each allegation reviewed by the commission, each
854 member shall determine and cast a vote stating whether the allegation is:
855 (i) proven by a preponderance of the evidence; or
856 (ii) not proven.
857 (b) A verbal roll call vote shall be taken on each allegation and each member's vote
858 shall be recorded.
859 (4) (a) A count is not considered to be proven unless four of the five members of the
860 commission vote that the count is proven.
861 (b) A count that is not considered to be proven is dismissed.
862 (c) (i) Before the commission issues its recommendation under JR6-4-204, the
863 commission may, upon a majority vote, reconsider and hold a new vote on an allegation.
864 (ii) A motion to reconsider a vote may only be made by a member of the commission
865 who voted that the allegation was not proved.
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866
(5) At the conclusion of deliberations, the commission shall prepare its866
867 recommendations as provided in JR6-4-204.
868 Section 22. JR6-4-204 is repealed and reenacted to read:
869 JR6-4-204. Recommendations of Commission.
870 (1) If the commission determines that no allegations in the complaint were proved, the
871 commission shall:
872 (a) issue and enter into the record an order that the complaint is dismissed because no
873 allegations in the complaint were found to have been proved;
874 (b) classify all recordings, testimony, evidence, orders, findings, and other records
875 directly relating to the meetings authorized by this part as private records under Section
876 63G-2-302 ;
877 (c) provide notice of the determination, in a manner determined by a majority vote of
878 the commission, to:
879 (i) the respondent; H. [
880 (ii) the first complainant named on the complaint; and
880a H. (iii) the chair and vice chair of the Senate Ethics Committee, if the respondent is a
880b Senator, or the chair and vice chair of the House Ethics Committee, if the respondent is a
880c Representative; and .H
881 (d) provide notice to H. [
881a provisions of
882 JR6-3-102 and other provisions of this title, a person who discloses the findings of the
883 commission H. in violation of any provision of this chapter .H is in contempt of the
883a Legislature and is subject to penalties for contempt.
884 (2) If the commission determines that one or more of the allegations in the complaint
885 were proved, the commission shall:
886 (a) if one or more allegations were not found to have been proven, enter into the record
887 an order dismissing those unproven allegations;
888 (b) prepare a written recommendation to the Senate Ethics Committee, if the
889 respondent is a Senator, or to the House Ethics Committee, if the respondent is a
890 Representative, that:
891 (i) lists the name of each complainant;
892 (ii) lists the name of the respondent;
893 (iii) states the date of the recommendation;
894 (iv) for each allegation that was found to be proven:
895 (A) provides a reference to the code of conduct or criminal provision allegedly
896 violated;
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897
(B) states the number and names of commission members voting that the allegation897
898 was proved and the number and names of commission members voting that the allegation was
899 not proved;
900 (C) at the option of those members voting that the allegation was proved, includes a
901 statement by one or all of those members stating the reasons for voting that the allegation was
902 proved, provided that the statement does not cite specific evidence, specific testimony, or
903 specific witnesses; and
904 (D) at the option of those members voting that the allegation was not proved, includes
905 a statement by one or all of those members stating the reasons for voting that the allegation was
906 not proved, provided that the statement does not cite specific evidence, specific testimony, or
907 specific witnesses;
908 (v) contains any general statement that is adopted for inclusion in the recommendation
909 by a majority of the members of the commission;
910 (vi) contains a statement referring the allegations found to have been proved to the
911 appropriate ethics committee for review;
912 (vii) states the name of each member of the commission; and
913 (viii) is signed by each commission member;
914 (c) direct staff to publicly release the recommendation, the complaint, and the
915 response, subject to the redaction of any allegations that were dismissed by the commission;
916 and
917 (d) classify all other recordings, testimony, evidence, orders, findings, and other
918 records directly relating to the meetings and hearings authorized by this part as private records
919 under Section 63G-2-302 .
920 S. [
921 recommendation during the 60 calendar days immediately preceding:
922 (a) a regular primary election, if the accused legislator is a candidate in the primary
923 election; or
924 (b) a regular general election in which the accused legislator is a candidate, unless the
925 accused legislator is unopposed in the election.
926 (4)
926a publicly
927 available and promptly provided to:
928
929 witness list as provided in JR6-4-301;
930 (b) the first complainant named on the complaint, together with notice that the
931 complainants may amend their witness list as provided in JR6-4-301; and
932 (c) the chair and vice chair of the Senate Ethics Committee, if the respondent is a
933 Senator, or the chair and vice chair of the House Ethics Committee, if the respondent is a
934 Representative.
935 (5) The commission shall ensure that, within five business days of the date of issuance
936 of the recommendation:
937 (a) the complaint and the response are redacted to remove references to those
938 allegations found not to have been proven by the commission, if one or more allegations were
939 found not to have been proven; and
940 (b) the following documents are made publicly available and are provided to the chair
941 and vice chair of the Senate Ethics Committee, if the respondent is a Senator, or the chair and
942 vice chair of the House Ethics Committee, if the respondent is a Representative:
943 (i) a cover letter referring the allegations contained in the edited complaint to the ethics
944 committee for the committee's review;
945 (ii) a copy of the edited complaint;
946 (iii) a copy of the edited response; and
947 (iv) a copy of the recommendation.
948 Section 23. JR6-4-301 is repealed and reenacted to read:
949
950 JR6-4-301. Receipt of Recommendation from Independent Legislative Ethics
951 Commission -- Scheduling of Ethics Committee Hearing -- Amendments.
952 (1) Within five calendar days of the date that the chair of the Senate Ethics or House
953 Ethics Committee receives the commission's recommendation as provided under JR6-4-204,
954 the chair and vice chair of the committee shall:
955 (a) schedule a committee hearing to review the complaint on a date no later than 30
956 days after of the day on which the committee receives the recommendation; and
957 (b) place the ethics complaint on the agenda for consideration at that hearing.
958 (2) (a) The complainants may not amend the complaint.
959
960 (c) The complainant and respondent may file with the committee, within 10 days of the
961 date of issuance of the commission's recommendations, an amended list of witnesses and
962 evidence that they wish to have subpoenaed by the committee.
963 Section 24. JR6-4-302 is repealed and reenacted to read:
964 JR6-4-302. Review of Ethics Complaint by Ethics Committee.
965 (1) The scope of the committee's review is limited to the alleged violations found to
966 have been proven by the commission, as pled in the edited complaint and the edited response
967 provided by the commission.
968 (2) (a) Before holding the hearing for review of the complaint as scheduled in
969 JR6-4-301, the chair may schedule a separate meeting of the committee to:
970 (i) hear motions or arguments from the parties, including hearing motions or arguments
971 relating to dismissal of a complaint, admission of evidence, or procedures; or
972 (ii) hold a vote of the committee, with or without the attendance of the parties, on
973 procedural or committee business matters relating to a complaint.
974 (b) Notwithstanding JR6-4-301, the committee may, by a majority vote, change the
975 date of the hearing scheduled in JR6-4-301 in order to accommodate:
976 (i) a meeting authorized under Subsection (2)(a); or
977 (ii) necessary scheduling requirements.
978 (3) (a) The committee shall comply with the Utah Rules of Evidence, except where the
979 committee determines, by majority vote, that a rule is not compatible with the requirements of
980 this title.
981 (b) The chair shall make rulings on admissibility of evidence consistent with the
982 provisions of JR6-4-202.
983 (4) (a) A meeting or hearing held under this Chapter 4, Part 3, Review of Ethics
984 Complaint by Ethics Committee:
985 (i) is subject to the requirements of Title 52, Chapter 4, Open and Public Meetings Act;
986 and
987 (ii) may be closed by a majority vote of the committee, held in the public portion of the
988 meeting, for:
989 (A) any purpose permitted under Section 52-4-205 ;
990
991 committee or staff; or
992 (C) deliberations, as provided in JR6-4-304.
993 (b) Only committee members, committee staff, and necessary security personnel may
994 attend a closed meeting.
995 (5) If a majority of the committee determines that a continuance of a meeting or
996 hearing is necessary to obtain further evidence and testimony, to accommodate administrative
997 needs, or to accommodate the attendance of committee members, witnesses, or a party, the
998 chair or committee shall:
999 (a) adjourn and continue the hearing or meeting to a future date and time; and
1000 (b) establish that future date and time by majority vote.
1001 Section 25. JR6-4-303 is repealed and reenacted to read:
1002 JR6-4-303. Record -- Recording of Meetings.
1003 (1) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (1)(b), an individual may not use a camera or
1004 other recording device in any meeting authorized by this part.
1005 (b) (i) The committee shall keep an audio or video recording of all portions of each
1006 meeting authorized by this part.
1007 (ii) If the committee elects, by a majority vote, to release the committee's finding and
1008 order in a public meeting, that meeting may, upon a majority vote of the committee, be opened
1009 to cameras or other recording devices.
1010 (2) In addition to the recording required in Subsection (1), the chair shall ensure that a
1011 record of each hearing or meeting is made, which shall include:
1012 (a) official minutes taken during the meeting or hearing, if any;
1013 (b) copies of all documents or other items admitted into evidence;
1014 (c) copies of any documents, written orders, or written rulings issued by the chair or the
1015 committee; and
1016 (d) any other information that a majority of the committee or the chair directs.
1017 (3) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(b), all recordings, testimony, evidence,
1018 and other records of meetings and hearings authorized by this part are public records.
1019 (b) All recordings, minutes, and other records produced during a closed meeting
1020 authorized under this part are classified as private records under Section 63G-2-302 .
1021
1022 JR6-4-304. Process for Making a Decision -- Deliberations -- Voting in Public
1023 Meeting.
1024 (1) After each party has presented a closing argument, the committee shall deliberate in
1025 a closed meeting:
1026 (a) immediately after conclusion of the closing arguments; or
1027 (b) at a future meeting of the committee, on a date and time determined by a majority
1028 of the members of the committee.
1029 (2) The chair of the committee shall conduct the deliberations.
1030 (3) During the deliberations, committee members may:
1031 (a) discuss evidence and testimony;
1032 (b) discuss and debate whether an allegation was proven or not proven;
1033 (c) discuss and debate what actions should be taken or not taken against the respondent
1034 in relation to each allegation;
1035 (d) discuss and debate any other matter related to the allegations in the complaint that
1036 is before the committee; and
1037 (e) conduct, at the call of the chair or a majority of the members of the committee, a
1038 non-binding straw poll on any matter related to the complaint.
1039 (4) (a) Notwithstanding JR6-2-306, and except as provided in Subsection (4)(b), from
1040 the time of completion of closing arguments through the time that the written finding and order
1041 are publicly issued, a committee member may not discuss any of the following matters with any
1042 other person outside of official committee deliberations:
1043 (i) the substance or specifics of the allegations, testimony, or evidence of the complaint
1044 under review;
1045 (ii) a committee member's intended vote;
1046 (iii) a committee member's recommendation for actions to be taken or not taken against
1047 the respondent in relation to the complaint; or
1048 (iv) any other non-administrative matter related to the complaint.
1049 (b) During deliberations, committee members may privately consult with staff for the
1050 purpose of discussing legal, evidentiary, or procedural matters.
1051 (5) Deliberations shall continue until they are concluded or continued to another date
1052
1053 (a) at the direction of the chair, subject to JR6-2-302; or
1054 (b) upon a motion approved by a majority of the committee members.
1055 Section 27. JR6-4-305 is repealed and reenacted to read:
1056 JR6-4-305. Vote on Allegations and Recommendations -- Public Meeting --
1057 Standards -- Reconsideration.
1058 (1) After conclusion of the deliberations, the committee shall meet in public and, for
1059 each allegation reviewed by the committee, vote on whether the allegation is:
1060 (a) proven by clear and convincing evidence; or
1061 (b) not proven.
1062 (2) For any count that has been voted as proven, the committee shall, by a motion
1063 approved by a majority of the members of the committee, recommend one or more of the
1064 following actions:
1065 (a) censure;
1066 (b) expulsion;
1067 (c) denial or limitation of any right, power, or privilege of the respondent, if, under the
1068 Utah Constitution, the Senate or House may impose that denial or limitation, and if the
1069 violation bears upon the exercise or holding of any right, power, or privilege; or
1070 (d) any other action that the committee determines is appropriate.
1071 (3) Votes shall be taken by verbal roll call and each member's vote shall be recorded.
1072 (4) A count is not considered to be proven unless a majority of the committee votes
1073 that the count is proven.
1074 (5) The committee, by a motion for reconsideration that is approved by a majority of
1075 the committee, may reconsider and hold a new vote provided that:
1076 (a) a motion to reconsider a vote on whether an allegation was proven or not proven
1077 may only be made by a member of the committee who voted that the allegation was not proven;
1078 and
1079 (b) a motion to reconsider a vote recommending an action against the respondent may
1080 only be made by a member of the committee who voted against the recommendation.
1081 (6) A count that is not voted as "proven" by a majority of the members of the
1082 committee is dismissed.
1083
1084 subject to the requirements of JR6-4-304:
1085 (a) at the direction of the chair, subject to override by the committee as provided in
1086 JR6-2-302; or
1087 (b) upon a motion approved by a majority of the members of the committee.
1088 (8) After a final vote has been cast on each allegation and recommendation, the
1089 committee shall prepare the finding and order as provided in JR6-4-306.
1090 Section 28. JR6-4-306 is repealed and reenacted to read:
1091 JR6-4-306. Finding and Order.
1092 (1) (a) If the committee determines that no allegations in the complaint were proved,
1093 the committee shall prepare a finding and order that:
1094 (i) lists the name of each complainant;
1095 (ii) lists the name of the respondent;
1096 (iii) states the date of the finding and order;
1097 (iv) for each allegation contained in the complaint:
1098 (A) provides a reference to the code of conduct or criminal provision alleged to have
1099 been violated; and
1100 (B) states the number and names of committee members voting that the allegation was
1101 proved and the number and names of committee members voting that the allegation was not
1102 proved;
1103 (v) order that the complaint is dismissed because no allegations in the complaint were
1104 found to have been proved;
1105 (vi) provide any general statement that is adopted for inclusion in the recommendation
1106 by a majority of the committee members; and
1107 (vii) states the name of each committee member.
1108 (b) Each committee member shall sign the finding and order.
1109 (2) (a) If the committee determines that one or more allegations in the complaint were
1110 proved, the committee shall issue a finding and order that:
1111 (i) lists the name of each complainant;
1112 (ii) lists the name of the respondent;
1113 (iii) states the date of the finding and order;
House Floor Amendments 3-4-2010 le/enw
1114
(iv) for each allegation contained in the complaint:1114
1115 (A) provides a reference to the code of conduct or criminal provision alleged to have
1116 been violated;
1117 (B) states the number and names of committee members voting that the allegation was
1118 proved and the number and names of committee members voting that the allegation was not
1119 proved;
1120 (C) if the allegation was not H. [
1120a the allegation
1121 be dismissed; and
1122 (D) if the allegation was found to have been proven, contains:
1123 (I) a description of any actions that the committee recommended be taken;
1124 (II) the number and names of committee members voting in favor of each
1125 recommendation and the number and names of committee members voting against each
1126 recommendation;
1127 (III) at the option of those members voting in favor of a recommendation, a statement
1128 by one or all of those members stating the reasons for making the recommendation; and
1129 (IV) at the option of those members against a recommendation, a statement by one or
1130 all of those members stating the reasons for opposing the recommendation;
1131 (v) contains any general statement that is adopted for inclusion in the finding and order
1132 by a majority of the committee members;
1133 (vi) contains a statement directing that the finding be delivered to:
1134 (A) for the Senate Ethics Committee, to the President of the Senate, the Senate
1135 majority leader, and the Senate minority leader; or
1136 (B) for the House Ethics Committee, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives,
1137 the House majority leader, and the House minority leader; and
1138 (vii) states the name of each committee member.
1139 (b) Each committee member shall sign the finding and order.
1140 (3) A copy of the finding and order shall be made publicly available.
1141 (4) A written copy of the finding and order shall be provided to:
1142 (a) the respondent;
1143 (b) the first complainant named on the complaint; and
1144 (c) any individuals required to receive a copy as stated in the finding and order.
1145
1146 This resolution repeals:
1147 JR6-4-205, Rights of the Respondent.
1148 JR6-4-206, Record.
1149 JR6-4-207, Process for Making a Decision -- Remedies -- Publication of Decision.
1150 JR6-4-307, Disciplinary Hearing Process -- Phase 1, Adjudication Phase.
1151 JR6-4-308, Disciplinary Hearing Process -- Phase II, Penalty Phase -- Remedies.
1152 JR6-4-309, Announcement of Decision.
1153 JR6-4-310, Records of Disciplinary Hearing.
1154 Section 30. Effective date.
1155 This resolution takes effect upon approval by a constitutional majority vote of all
1156 members of the Senate and House of Representatives.
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