Under current law, the independent ethics commission created in
article XXIX of the state constitution does not have jurisdiction over officials or employees of special districts or school districts. The bill gives the independent ethics commission jurisdiction to hear complaints, issue findings, assess penalties, and issue advisory opinions on ethics issues concerning a local government official or local government employee. Local government is defined to include a county, municipality, special district, or school district. Existing ethical standards apply to a local government official and a local government employee. The bill applies those standards to a local government official or local government employee through the independent ethics commission.
