Fiscal Note

SJR003S02 - Joint Resolution on Ethics Complaint Procedures

State Impact:
Costs associated with this bill depend upon a number of unpredictable factors including the number of complaints issued, the nature of complaints, the number of meetings required, and staff and attorney effort required. If no ethics complaints are filed in a year, the Independent Legislative Ethics Commission would meet once per year, at an annual cost of $700 starting in FY 2011. If ethics complaints are filed, additional costs may include per diem, travel, legislative salaries, staff time, attorney fees, and ancillary meeting costs.

Individual, Business and/or Local Impact:
Complainants would have the option, at their own expense, to hire attorneys. Individual legislators against whom a complaint is filed would have the option, at their own expense, to hire attorneys; however, if complaints are dropped by the ethics commission or committee, the legislator's reasonable attorney fees will be reimbursed by the state. Complainants and respondents may spend personal resources gathering and presenting evidence.