HF 3728

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 03/14/2018 11:41am

A bill for an act
relating to the legislature; creating the Citizen Council on Legislative Ethics;
proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 3.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [3.8855] CITIZEN COUNCIL ON LEGISLATIVE ETHICS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Creation. new text end

new text begin The Citizen Council on Legislative Ethics is created to receive
and investigate allegations made against members of the legislature that relate to the official
duties of the legislators.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Powers. new text end

new text begin The Citizen Council on Legislative Ethics shall create and maintain
a reporting system by which the Minnesota public may initiate complaints against members
of the legislature regarding alleged unethical behavior including, but not limited to, alleged
behaviors constituting sexual harassment, violations of statutes or rules, and behavior
contrary to standards adopted by the house of representatives or senate. The council may
not respond to complaints for which an existing statutory entity is explicitly responsible.
The powers and duties of the council include, but are not limited to, the following:
new text end

new text begin (1) establishment, dissemination, and maintenance of a complaint reporting system that
allows complaints from the Minnesota public, lobbyists, state agency officials, legislative
employees, or any other concerned person;
new text end

new text begin (2) adoption of procedures for receiving, processing, and investigating complaints;
new text end

new text begin (3) retention of outside counsel as deemed necessary to investigate any specific complaint;
new text end

new text begin (4) approval of payment of valid fees and costs submitted by outside counsel or submitted
by a complainant or a legislator;
new text end

new text begin (5) completion of reports regarding any submitted complaint, to be forwarded to the
ethics committees of the house of representatives, senate, or both;
new text end

new text begin (6) review of any code of conduct or rule of behavior pertaining to or applying to
members of the legislature and recommendations for changes to those requirements; and
new text end

new text begin (7) proposal of strategies or requirements to prevent harassment.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Training. new text end

new text begin The council shall review training materials and requirements for
staff, lobbyists, and legislators and recommend changes to these requirements as deemed
necessary.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Procedural requirements. new text end

new text begin The Citizen Council on Legislative Ethics shall
adopt procedures for handling complaints, including:
new text end

new text begin (1) public hearings to establish if probable cause exists to investigate or report on any
complaint;
new text end

new text begin (2) grants of limited or qualified confidentiality to complainants or witnesses;
new text end

new text begin (3) requirements for the use of closed meetings to consider confidential matters, including
confidential complaints, complaints involving medical records, or deliberations thereof;
and
new text end

new text begin (4) procedures to ensure due process to all parties to a complaint.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Membership. new text end

new text begin Members of the Citizen Council on Legislative Ethics must not
be current or prior members of the legislature. Appointed members must have expertise in
personnel law, human resources, harassment policies, or legislative ethics. Appointments
must be made by January 15 of each odd-numbered year and are for a four-year term. The
council shall elect a chair and vice-chair at the first meeting. The first meeting must be prior
to February 15 of each odd-numbered year. Members continue to serve until their successors
are appointed. Vacancies that occur during the four-year term shall be filled by the appointing
authority. The council consists of eight members of the Minnesota public as follows:
new text end

new text begin (1) two persons appointed by the speaker of the house;
new text end

new text begin (2) two persons appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives;
new text end

new text begin (3) two persons appointed by the majority leader of the senate; and
new text end

new text begin (4) two persons appointed by the minority leader of the senate.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Staff. new text end

new text begin The Citizen Council on Legislative Ethics shall be administered by the
director of the Legislative Coordinating Commission. The council chair and vice-chair may,
by agreement, employ professional and technical staff as necessary to perform the duties
prescribed in this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Expenses; reimbursement. new text end

new text begin Members of the Citizen Council on Legislative
Ethics shall be reimbursed for all expenses actually and necessarily incurred in the
performance of their duties. Reimbursement for expenses incurred shall be made in
accordance with policies adopted by the Legislative Coordinating Commission.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Reports. new text end

new text begin Reports of the Citizen Council on Legislative Ethics are made directly
to the ethics committees of the house of representatives, senate, or both, and are public and
advisory. Public versions of reports may redact confidential matters with the advice of
counsel. The council may advise the relevant house of representatives or senate ethics
committee as to its findings of probable cause, grants of confidentiality, proposed disciplinary
actions, proposed changes to standards of conduct, proposed prevention strategies, or any
other council advice.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. Initial
appointments shall be made by January 15, 2019, pursuant to subdivision 4. Initial
appointments by each appointing authority must be staggered, with one appointee serving
a two-year term, and one a four-year term. The director of the Legislative Coordinating
Commission shall direct a staff working group to construct proposed policies and procedures
for consideration by the Citizen Council on Legislative Ethics when appointed.
new text end