One pager for a bill I helped carry for Senator Creighton

1. SB 710 - County Ethics Commission
Author: Senator Brandon Creighton
Background
Currently, only certain counties may authorize its ethics board to impose effective penalties against
those who violate ethics standards. This leaves most counties unable to impose a civil penalty and
can take little action when an elected official, lobbyist, or vendor violates ethics standards. Senate
Bill 710 amends current law to remove restrictions on which counties may impose penalties,
allowing all counties to chose whether or not to create a county ethics commission which may adopt
and enforce ethic standards.
Provisions
Election Required for Creation of Commission
- Authorizes the commissioners court to call for an election to establish an ethics commission.
- If the proposition is approved, the commissioners court shall declare the result and by order
create the county ethics commission
Composition of Commission
Ethics commission is comprised of:
- five members, each appointed by he county judge or a county commissioner;
- five members appointed by the commissioners court with one member appointed from a list
of nominees submitted by each of the following entities:
o a bar association in the county, the county civil service commission, the sheriff's civil
service commission, a dispute resolution center in the county that is affiliated with a
council of governments, a human resources management association in the county
Meetings
- The commission is a governmental body for purposes of Chapter 551, Government Code.
- Thus, the commission is subject to the "Open Meetings Act", the public information law, as
well as other applicable laws
General Powers of the Commission
- Authorizes the commission to adopt or use as a guide any ethics law or rule of the United
States, this state or a political subdivision in this state.
- The commission shall enforce the provisions of the ethics code by issuing appropriate orders
or recommendations or by imposing appropriate penalties.
- The commission shall develop and implement policies that provide the public with
information on the commission and the ethics code.
- The commission can issue advisory opinions on ethics problems or unclear issues
Civil Penalties
The commission may impose a civil penalty of not more than:
- $500 for each delay in complying with a commission order.
- $4,000 for a violation of the ethics code adopted by the commission.
- $4,000 for the filing of a frivolous or bad-faith complaint
Appeals
A respondent may appeal the decision by filing a petition in a district court in the county within 30
days after the date of the decision.
Staff
Braden Kennedy - Braden.kennedy@senate.texas.gov
Court Manske - court.manske@senate.texas.gov
Phone: 512.463.0104