HB84 Sponsor(s): Representative Standridge
SB66 Sponsor(s): Senator Scofield

Summary/Synopsis: This bill amends the existing ethics legislation by providing for electronic filing and storage of information. It specifies certain (reasonable) confidentiality safeguards, but among the items protected are those relating to the economic interests of public officials, elected and otherwise.
 
League Action and Justification: Monitor.

Bill Progress in Legislature:

HB84:

01/14/2014: Read for the first time and referred to the
02/06/2014: 2nd Reading and place on calendar; pending 3rd Reading and Favorable from E&CF.

02/18/2014: 3rd Reading Indefinitely Postponed; Standridge motion to Indefinitely Postpone adopted by Voice Vote; Standridge motion to Substitute SB66 for HB84 adopted by Voice Vote.


SB66:

Senate:

01/14/2014: Read for the first Time and referred to the
01/15/2014: Reported from CCFE&E as Favorable

01/23/2014: 3rd Reading Passed; Motion to Read a 3rd Time and Pass adopted by Roll Call (31-0-0)

02/18/2014: Passed by 2nd House

House:

01/23/2014: Read for the First time in the House and referred to the
02/06/2014: 2nd Read and placed on the calendar; pending 3rd read and favorable from E&CF

02/18/2014: 3rd Reading Passed; Motion to Read a 3rd Time and Pass adopted by Roll Call vote (96-0-0); Enrolled;

02/20/2014: Signature requested; Forwarded to Governor

Assigned Act No. 2014-71

Sponsor(s): Representative Ball

Summary/Synopsis: The State Ethics Law prohibits the use or disclosure of confidential information by a public official or employee for private gain, and for such purpose the term "confidential information" means a complaint filed pursuant to the State Ethics Law with any statement, conversation, or knowledge of certain other information received by the complainant.

This bill would amend the definition of "confidential information" in the State Ethics Law to mean information that is available to a public official or employee that is available solely by virtue of a public position, and not otherwise available to the public.
 
League Action and Justification: Monitor for movement

Bill Action in Legislature:

01/30/2014: First reading and referred to the
Note: Because the amendment eliminates the current definition, complaints filed with the Ethics Commission seem to become public information upon filing. In years past, legislators were concerned that some complaints were filed simply to influence election results.

02/06/2014: 2nd Reading and placed on calendar; pending 3rd Reading and Favorable from E&CF.

02/13/2014: 3rd Reading passed; Motion to Read a 3rd Time and Pass adopted by Roll Call (93-0-1)


Senate:

02/13/2014: Read for the First time and referred to the
2/27/2014: 2nd Reading and placed on the calendar; pending third Read and Favorable form CCFE&E