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S.J.R. 2

             1     

JOINT RULES - ETHICS PROCEDURE

             2     
AMENDMENTS

             3     
2000 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Sponsor: L. Steven Poulton

             6      Leonard M. Blackham
             7      Joseph L. Hull
Ed P. Mayne
Terry R. Spencer
Michael G. Waddoups


             8      A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATURE REVISING ETHICS COMMITTEE RULES
             9      TO ALLOW A WAIVER OF CERTAIN PROCEDURES; SEPARATING THE DISCIPLINARY
             10      PHASE OF AN ETHICS INQUIRY FROM THE PRELIMINARY INQUIRY PHASE WITH THE
             11      SAME STANDARD OF PROOF IN A WAIVER; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
             12      This resolution affects legislative rules as follows:
             13      AMENDS:
             14          JR-16.04
             15      ENACTS:
             16          JR-16.07
             17      Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             18          Section 1. JR-16.04 is amended to read:
             19           JR-16.04. Rules of Procedure for the Senate and House Ethics Committees.
             20          In hearing and processing all complaints, these rules govern the procedures to be followed
             21      by the Senate and House Ethics Committees:
             22          (1) (a) No information received by the committees concerning any alleged violation shall
             23      be disclosed to the public until the member of the Senate or House charged in the violation has
             24      received [the Statement of Alleged Violations] a Summary of the Preliminary Inquiry provided for
             25      under Subsection (4).
             26          (b) No meetings of the committees shall be open to the public except a disciplinary hearing
             27      under [Subsection (6)] JR-16.07.


             28          (2) (a) All complaints submitted to the committees shall be in writing. Each complaint
             29      shall contain the following information:
             30          (i) the name and address of the three Senators, if the respondent is a Senate member, or
             31      three Representatives, if the respondent is a House member, who are filing the complaint, who
             32      are the complainants;
             33          (ii) the name and position or title of the person alleged to be in violation, who is the
             34      respondent;
             35          (iii) the nature of the alleged violation;
             36          (iv) any facts alleged to support the complaint, and when facts are based upon the
             37      information and belief of the complainants, the complaint shall state that and give the basis for the
             38      information and belief; and
             39          (v) all documents which support the complaint as an attachment to it.
             40          (b) All complaints shall be filed directly with the President of the Senate, if the respondent
             41      is a Senator, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, if the respondent is a Representative,
             42      and with the appropriate ethics committee chairman.
             43          (3) (a) Within five days after receipt of the complaint, the staff of the committees shall
             44      examine each complaint to determine if it is in compliance with Subsection (2). If the complaint
             45      is not in compliance, it shall be returned to the complainants with a copy of the legislative rules
             46      on ethics. The complainants may resubmit the complaint. If the complaint is in compliance with
             47      the rules, it shall be filed with the chairman and the co-chairman of the committee.
             48          Every member of the committee shall be notified of the filing of the complaint and its
             49      availability for inspection.
             50          (b) Within 30 days after the complaint is filed, the chairman and co-chairman shall place
             51      the complaint on the agenda for consideration at the next committee meeting with the
             52      recommendation:
             53          (i) that the complaint be considered; or
             54          (ii) that the complaint be dismissed because it fails to allege facts which constitute a
             55      violation.
             56          (4) (a) At the next meeting of the committee, the committee shall determine whether the
             57      alleged violation in the complaint is within the jurisdiction of the committee and whether the
             58      complaint merits further inquiry. The complainants and respondent shall be notified, in writing,


             59      of the action taken by the committee.
             60          (b) If the committee determines that further investigation into the matter is merited, the
             61      committee meeting shall become a preliminary inquiry to determine whether the violation
             62      occurred. This preliminary inquiry is not open to the public.
             63          (c) The chairman and the Director of the Office of Legislative Research and General
             64      Counsel may require, by subpoena or otherwise, the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the
             65      production of any materials the committee considers necessary to the inquiry.
             66          (d) At the beginning of the preliminary inquiry, in order to expedite the committee's
             67      investigation and to facilitate a proper resolution of the matter, the committee cochairs and the
             68      respondent may agree in writing that the procedural requirements of JR-16.07 are waived.
             69          [(d)] (e) In the preliminary inquiry, the following rules apply:
             70          (i) Scope of Preliminary Inquiry. The scope of the preliminary inquiry is limited to the
             71      alleged violations stated in the complaint.
             72          (ii) Attendance of Respondent or Others.
             73          (A) During the testimony and evidentiary stage of the preliminary inquiry, the respondent
             74      and his counsel may be present.
             75          (B) Only (Senate, House, or Joint) Ethics Committee members and its staff shall be present
             76      during the other portions of the preliminary inquiry.
             77          (iii) Evidence. Only relevant or material evidence is admissible in the hearing. The
             78      chairman's determination of admissibility is final and may only be overruled by a majority vote of
             79      the committee.
             80          (iv) Record. A record shall be made which includes rulings of the chair, questions of the
             81      committee and its staff, the testimony and responses of witnesses, sworn statements submitted to
             82      the committee, relevant documents, and such other matters as the committee or its chairman may
             83      direct.
             84          Except for the official record, no camera or recording device may be brought in or used in
             85      the preliminary inquiry.
             86          (v) Committee Chairman.
             87          (A) The committee chairman is vested with the power to direct the committee in the
             88      preliminary inquiry.
             89          (B) If a committee member objects to a decision of the chair, that member may appeal the


             90      decision to the committee by stating: "I appeal the decision of the chair." This motion is
             91      nondebatable. The chairman shall direct a roll call vote to determine if the committee membership
             92      supports the decision of the chair. A majority vote of the committee is necessary to overrule the
             93      decision of the chairman.
             94          (C) The chairman may set time limitations on any part of the preliminary inquiry.
             95          (vi) Testimony.
             96          (A) At the direction of the committee chairman and co-chairman the committee may hear
             97      the testimony of the complainants, the respondent, and witnesses.
             98          (B) If a witness desires, the witness shall be permitted to make a brief opening statement.
             99          (C) Examination of a witness shall be under the direction of the committee chairman.
             100      After the witness's presentation, committee members shall question the witness, after which the
             101      respondent shall be given an opportunity to question the witness. Further examination by the
             102      committee, committee staff, or the respondent shall be as directed by the committee chairman.
             103          (D) The witness's disobedience to the chairman's direction to answer a question constitutes
             104      contempt. The chairman's direction may only be overruled by a vote of the majority of the
             105      committee members present.
             106          The object of the Fifth Amendment privilege not to incriminate oneself is so no criminal
             107      action will be prosecuted. If a witness cannot be prosecuted for the crime to which his testimony
             108      relates, it is improper for the witness to invoke the privilege.
             109          (E) The committee chairman shall direct each witness to furnish any relevant book, paper,
             110      affidavit, or other written evidence for the committee's consideration, which material the witness
             111      has chosen to bring or the production of which has been required by subpoena duces tecum.
             112      Unless overruled by a majority vote of the committee members present, disobedience to the
             113      chairman's direction to produce such documents in response to a subpoena duces tecum constitutes
             114      a contempt.
             115          (F) A witness may be allowed to insert in the record sworn written statements of
             116      reasonable length relevant to the purpose, subject matter, and scope of the investigation.
             117          (G) Unless otherwise directed by committee, all witnesses shall testify under oath.
             118          (H) Legislative General Counsel shall administer the oath to each witness.
             119          (vii) Response of Respondent. The respondent shall be given an opportunity to respond,
             120      orally or in writing, to the allegations stated in the complaint.


             121          (viii) Advice of Counsel.
             122          (A) Any witness testifying before the committee may have his counsel present.
             123          (B) When the committee seeks factual testimony within the personal knowledge of the
             124      witness, such testimony and answers should be given by the witness himself and not suggested to
             125      the witness by counsel. Counsel for a witness should not advise the witness during the witness's
             126      testimony, except when specifically requested by the witness.
             127          (C) The participation of counsel at a hearing and while a witness is testifying is limited to
             128      advising the witness of his legal rights. Counsel shall not be permitted to address the committee,
             129      ask questions of any witness, or engage in oral arguments with the committee, but must confine
             130      his activity exclusively to private conversations of legal advice to his client. Counsel's failure to
             131      abide by these rules is grounds for counsel's exclusion from the preliminary inquiry.
             132          (ix) Contempt. A majority of the members of the committee may compel obedience to the
             133      requirements of the committee by way of contempt proceedings begun by application to a state
             134      district court as to any person who:
             135          (A) fails to comply with a subpoena or a subpoena duces tecum;
             136          (B) refuses to answer a question relevant to the investigation which does not infringe on
             137      his constitutional rights; or
             138          (C) is guilty of contempt on any other grounds specified in statute or recognized at
             139      common law.
             140          (x) Interested Persons. Upon consent of a majority of its members, the (Senate, House,
             141      or Joint) Ethics Committee may permit any person, not compelled or invited, to appear and testify
             142      at a hearing or submit a sworn written statement of facts or other documentary evidence for
             143      incorporation into the record.
             144          (xi) Subpoena Power. At the direction of a majority of the committee, the committee
             145      chairman may direct staff to issue subpoenas to direct the attendance of witnesses and to issue
             146      subpoena duces tecum to direct the production of documents.
             147          (xii) Release of Testimony. The release of any testimony or other evidence presented at
             148      a closed hearing and the form and manner of such release shall be by a majority vote of all
             149      members of the committee. Committee members and its staff shall not publicly disclose any other
             150      part of the preliminary inquiry.
             151          (xiii) Continuance of Preliminary Inquiry. If a majority of the committee determines that


             152      further evidence and testimony are necessary, they may adjourn and continue the preliminary
             153      inquiry hearing to a future date, which date shall be established by a majority of the committee.
             154          (xiv) Burden of Proof.
             155          (A) If, at the conclusion of the preliminary inquiry in which the procedural requirements
             156      of JR-16.07 are not waived, the committee determines, by a preponderance of the evidence, that
             157      there is reason to believe the alleged violation of the Code of Official Conduct did occur, the
             158      committee shall direct staff to prepare a Summary of the Preliminary Inquiry.
             159          (B) If, at the conclusion of the preliminary inquiry in which the procedural requirements
             160      of JR-16.07 are waived, the committee determines, by h [ clear and convincing ] A PREPONDERANCE
             160a      OF THE h evidence, that there
             161      is reason to believe the alleged violation of the Code of Official Conduct did occur, the committee
             162      shall direct staff to prepare a Summary of the Preliminary Inquiry.
             163          [(xv) Special Prosecutor. If an ethics probe goes beyond the preliminary inquiry stage, the
             164      Senate or House Ethics Committee shall direct the chairman to appoint a special prosecutor. This
             165      special prosecutor shall be paid by the Senate if it is a Senate Ethics Committee or the House if
             166      it is a House Ethics Committee. The special prosecutor shall prepare the Statement of Alleged
             167      Violation from the summary prepared by the committee staff. The special prosecutor is also
             168      responsible for prosecuting the respondent in the disciplinary hearing.]
             169          [(xvi)] (xv) Voting. If the committee is unable to achieve a majority vote directing further
             170      proceedings against the respondent, this constitutes a dismissal of the complaint.
             171          [(xvii)] (xvi) Announcement of Committee's Decision. At the conclusion of the
             172      committee's deliberations in the preliminary inquiry, when a decision has been reached, the
             173      respondent and his counsel shall be invited into the committee room to hear the committee's
             174      decision, which shall be written as a Summary of the Preliminary Inquiry.
             175          [(e)] (f) At the completion of the preliminary inquiry, the staff of the committee shall keep
             176      a file containing a comprehensive summary of the inquiry.
             177          [(f) If the committee determines that there is reason to believe the alleged violation did
             178      occur, the committee shall direct the special prosecutor to transmit to the respondent and to the
             179      complainants a copy of the Statement of Alleged Violation. The statement shall be divided into
             180      counts. Each count shall allege a separate violation, and the facts which support each count.]
             181          [(5) (a) The respondent has 30 days from receipt of the Statement of Alleged Violation to
             182      respond. The response shall be in writing and shall be signed by the respondent or the respondent's


             183      counsel. The response shall be limited to the following:]
             184          [(i) an admission or denial of each count, under oath, with any supportive evidence or
             185      relevant information;]
             186          [(ii) an objection to any or all counts on the grounds that the count fails to state facts which
             187      constitute a violation of the Code of Official Conduct or any law, rule, regulation, or other
             188      standard of conduct applicable to a member of the Senate or House in the performance of
             189      legislative responsibilities;]
             190          [(iii) an objection to the jurisdiction of the committee considering the allegations contained
             191      in the statement;]
             192          [(iv) a motion for a more detailed statement regarding the cause of action stated in the
             193      complaint; or]
             194          [(v) an objection to the participation of any member of the committee, the committee's
             195      staff, or the special prosecutor on the grounds that that person would be unable to render a fair and
             196      impartial judgment or investigation. The committee, by majority vote, shall judge the
             197      qualifications of the person against whom the objection is raised.]
             198          [(b) The respondent's failure to submit a response to the Statement of Alleged Violation
             199      or any count contained in it constitutes an admission of the alleged violation.]
             200          [(c) Within 30 days after receipt of the respondent's response, the committee shall
             201      determine, by majority vote, to:]
             202          [(i) dismiss the complaint;]
             203          [(ii) grant or deny the respondent's motion for a more detailed statement, and if this motion
             204      is granted, direct the special prosecutor to give a more detail in the Statement of Alleged Violation
             205      and give the respondent 30 days from receipt of this statement to respond as provided in Section
             206      (5);]
             207          [(iii) hold a disciplinary hearing; or]
             208          [(iv) defer action, if a judicial proceeding is pending.]
             209          [(d) If the committee is unable to achieve a majority vote directing further proceedings
             210      against the respondent, this constitutes a dismissal of the statement. The respondent and
             211      complainants shall be notified, in writing, of the action taken by the committee.]
             212          [(e) The chairman may extend any time limitation, if the extension would facilitate a fair
             213      and complete inquiry. The chairman may shorten any time limitation, if special circumstances


             214      necessitate this being done.]
             215          [(6) (a) Prior to any disciplinary hearing, the committee shall adopt a statement
             216      establishing the scope and purpose of the hearing. A copy of this statement shall be furnished to
             217      all witnesses. The scope and purpose may expand or contract during the hearing, depending upon
             218      evidence received. The respondent has the right to counsel during all stages of the disciplinary
             219      hearing.]
             220          [(b) The disciplinary hearing is open to the public and consists of two phases. Phase I is
             221      to determine whether or not the counts in the statement have been proved. This phase shall be
             222      conducted as follows:]
             223          [(i) The meeting shall be opened by the chairman. He shall give a statement of the
             224      committee's authority to conduct the hearing and the purpose and scope of the hearing.]
             225          [(ii) Witnesses and evidence shall be received in the following order whenever possible:]
             226          [(A) witnesses and evidence offered by the special prosecutor;]
             227          [(B) witnesses and evidence offered by the respondent;]
             228          [(C) rebuttal witnesses.]
             229          [(iii) All witnesses shall testify under oath. Witnesses offered by the special prosecutor
             230      at a hearing shall be examined first by the special prosecutor. The respondent or respondent's
             231      counsel may then cross-examine the witnesses. The committee members and committee staff may
             232      then question the witnesses. Redirect and recross examination may be permitted in the chairman's
             233      discretion. Witnesses offered by the respondent shall be examined first by the respondent or
             234      respondent's counsel, and then may be cross-examined by the special prosecutor. Committee
             235      members and committee staff may then question the witness. Redirect and recross examination
             236      may be permitted in the chairman's discretion.]
             237          [(iv) At a disciplinary hearing, the burden of proof rests upon the special prosecutor to
             238      establish the facts clearly and convincingly by the evidence they introduce.]
             239          [(c) Phase II of a disciplinary hearing is to]
             240          (5) (a) After the announcement of the committee's decision in the Summary of the
             241      Preliminary Inquiry, if the procedural requirements of JR-16.07 have been waived as provided in
             242      Subsection (4)(d), the committee shall determine what recommendation should be made to the
             243      Senate or House with respect to any count which has been proved. The committee shall hear no
             244      further testimony during [Phase II] the preliminary inquiry, except by a majority vote of the


             245      committee.
             246          [(d)] (b) A count is not proved unless a majority of the committee so determine by vote.
             247      A count which is not proved shall be dismissed. If a majority of the committee does not vote that
             248      a count has been proved, a motion to reconsider that vote may only be made by a member of the
             249      committee who voted that the count was not proved.
             250          [(7)] (6) (a) The committee may, for any count that has been voted as proved, recommend
             251      one or more of the following actions:
             252          (i) censure;
             253          (ii) expulsion;
             254          (iii) denial or limitation of any right, power, or privilege of the respondent, if under the
             255      Utah Constitution the Senate or House may impose such denial or limitation, and if the violation
             256      bears upon the exercise or holding of any right, power, or privilege; or
             257          (iv) any other action the committee determines appropriate.
             258          (b) If a majority of the committee does not vote in favor of the recommendation for action,
             259      a motion to reconsider may only be made by a member of the committee who voted against the
             260      recommendation.
             261          (c) The committee's recommendation to the Senate or House shall be submitted in writing
             262      and shall contain a brief but complete statement of the evidence which supports their
             263      recommendations.
             264          [(8)] (7) The Senate or House shall consider the recommendations of the committee and
             265      shall, by a majority vote of that house, either accept, dismiss, or alter these recommendations. If
             266      the committee's recommendations are for expulsion of a Senator or Representative, acceptance
             267      of this recommendation requires a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to the Senate or to
             268      the House.
             269          Section 2. Section JR-16.07 is enacted to read:
             270           JR-16.07. Disciplinary Hearing.
             271          (1) If there is no waiver of the disciplinary hearing as provided in JR-16.04(4)(d), the
             272      Senate and House Ethics Committees shall follow these procedures at the conclusion of the
             273      preliminary inquiry.
             274          (2) Special Prosecutor. If an ethics probe goes into a disciplinary hearing stage, the Senate
             275      or House Ethics Committee shall direct the chairman to appoint a special prosecutor. This special


             276      prosecutor shall be paid by the Senate if it is a Senate Ethics Committee or the House if it is a
             277      House Ethics Committee. The special prosecutor shall prepare the Statement of Alleged Violation
             278      from the Summary of Preliminary Inquiry. The special prosecutor is also responsible for
             279      prosecuting the respondent in the disciplinary hearing.
             280          (3) If the committee determines that there is reason to believe the alleged violation did
             281      occur, the committee shall direct the special prosecutor to transmit to the respondent and to the
             282      complainants a copy of the Statement of Alleged Violation. The statement shall be divided into
             283      counts. Each count shall allege a separate violation, and the facts which support each count.
             284          (4) (a) The respondent has 30 days from receipt of the Statement of Alleged Violation to
             285      respond. The response shall be in writing and shall be signed by the respondent or the respondent's
             286      counsel. The response shall be limited to the following:
             287          (i) an admission or denial of each count, under oath, with any supportive evidence or
             288      relevant information;
             289          (ii) an objection to any or all counts on the grounds that the count fails to state facts which
             290      constitute a violation of the Code of Official Conduct or any law, rule, regulation, or other
             291      standard of conduct applicable to a member of the Senate or House in the performance of
             292      legislative responsibilities;
             293          (iii) an objection to the jurisdiction of the committee considering the allegations contained
             294      in the statement;
             295          (iv) a motion for a more detailed statement regarding the cause of action stated in the
             296      complaint; or
             297          (v) an objection to the participation of any member of the committee, the committee's staff,
             298      or the special prosecutor on the grounds that that person would be unable to render a fair and
             299      impartial judgment or investigation. The committee, by majority vote, shall judge the
             300      qualifications of the person against whom the objection is raised.
             301          (b) The respondent's failure to submit a response to the Statement of Alleged Violation or
             302      any count contained in it constitutes an admission of the alleged violation.
             303          (c) Within 30 days after receipt of the respondent's response or the respondent's failure to
             304      respond within that time, the committee shall determine, by majority vote, to:
             305          (i) dismiss the complaint;
             306          (ii) grant or deny the respondent's motion for a more detailed statement, and if this motion


             307      is granted, direct the special prosecutor to give more detail in the Statement of Alleged Violation
             308      and give the respondent 30 days from receipt of this statement to respond as provided in
             309      Subsection (4)(a);
             310          (iii) hold a disciplinary hearing; or
             311          (iv) defer action, if a judicial proceeding is pending.
             312          (d) If the committee is unable to achieve a majority vote directing further proceedings
             313      against the respondent, this constitutes a dismissal of the statement and of the complaint. The
             314      respondent and complainants shall be notified, in writing, of the action taken by the committee.
             315          (e) The chairman may extend any time limitation, if the extension would facilitate a fair
             316      and complete inquiry. The chairman may shorten any time limitation, if special circumstances
             317      necessitate this being done.
             318          (5) (a) Prior to any disciplinary hearing, the committee shall adopt a statement establishing
             319      the scope and purpose of the hearing. A copy of this statement shall be furnished to all witnesses.
             320      The scope and purpose may expand or contract during the hearing, depending upon evidence
             321      received. The respondent has the right to counsel during all stages of the disciplinary hearing.
             322          (b) The disciplinary hearing is open to the public and consists of two phases. Phase I is
             323      to determine whether or not the counts in the Statement of Alleged Violation have been proved.
             324      This phase shall be conducted as follows:
             325          (i) The meeting shall be opened by the chair. The chair shall give a statement of the
             326      committee's authority to conduct the hearing and the purpose and scope of the hearing.
             327          (ii) Witnesses and evidence shall be received in the following order whenever possible:
             328          (A) witnesses and evidence offered by the special prosecutor;
             329          (B) witnesses and evidence offered by the respondent; and
             330          (C) rebuttal witnesses.
             331          (iii) All witnesses shall testify under oath. Witnesses offered by the special prosecutor
             332      at a hearing shall be examined first by the special prosecutor. The respondent or respondent's
             333      counsel may then cross-examine the witnesses. The committee members and committee staff may
             334      then question the witnesses. Redirect and recross examination may be permitted in the chairman's
             335      discretion. Witnesses offered by the respondent shall be examined first by the respondent or
             336      respondent's counsel, and then may be cross-examined by the special prosecutor. Committee
             337      members and committee staff may then question the witness. Redirect and recross examination


             338      may be permitted in the chairman's discretion.
             339          (iv) At a disciplinary hearing, the burden of proof rests upon the special prosecutor to
             340      establish the facts clearly and convincingly by the evidence introduced.
             341          (c) Phase II of a disciplinary hearing is to determine what recommendation should be made
             342      to the Senate or House with respect to any count which has been proved. The committee shall hear
             343      no further testimony during Phase II except by a majority vote of the committee.
             344          (d) A count is not proved unless a majority of the committee so determine by vote. A
             345      count which is not proved shall be dismissed. If a majority of the committee does not vote that a
             346      count has been proved, a motion to reconsider that vote may only be made by a member of the
             347      committee who voted that the count was not proved.
             348          (6) Announcement of Committee's Decision. At the conclusion of the committee's
             349      deliberations in the disciplinary hearing, when a decision has been reached, the respondent and his
             350      counsel shall be invited into the committee room to hear the committee's decision.
             351          (7) At the completion of the disciplinary hearing, the staff of the committee shall keep a
             352      file containing a comprehensive summary of the disciplinary hearing.
             353          (8) (a) The committee may, as provided in Phase II of the disciplinary hearing, for any
             354      count that has been voted as proved, recommend one or more of the following actions:
             355          (i) censure;
             356          (ii) expulsion;
             357          (iii) denial or limitation of any right, power, or privilege of the respondent, if under the
             358      Utah Constitution the Senate or House may impose such denial or limitation, and if the violation
             359      bears upon the exercise or holding of any right, power, or privilege; or
             360          (iv) any other action the committee determines appropriate.
             361          (b) If a majority of the committee does not vote in favor of the recommendation for action,
             362      a motion to reconsider may only be made by a member of the committee who voted against the
             363      recommendation.
             364          (c) The committee's recommendation to the Senate or House shall be submitted in writing
             365      and shall contain a brief but complete statement of the evidence which supports their
             366      recommendations.
             367          (9) The Senate or House shall consider the recommendations of the committee and shall,
             368      by a majority vote of that house, either accept, dismiss, or alter these recommendations. If the


             369      committee's recommendations are for expulsion of a Senator or Representative, acceptance of this
             370      recommendation requires a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to the Senate or to the
             371      House.
             372          Section 3. Effective date.
             373          This resolution takes effect upon approval by a constitutional majority vote of all members
             374      of the Senate and House of Representatives.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 12-10-99 3:12 PM


A limited legal review of this legislation raises no obvious constitutional or statutory concerns.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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