GOP lawmakers formulate their own ethics package

SALT LAKE CITY — GOP state lawmakers have come out with their own ethics legislation, and the five-bill package is far-reaching and politically smart.

Key to the package will be a constitutional amendment that puts into the state's top legal document the independent ethics commission adopted earlier this year by a bipartisan ethics study committee. In the end, both the Legislature's commission, in the form of a constitutional amendment, and a commission created by the Utahns for Ethical Government initiative could be on the November ballot, setting up an interesting political and legal battle.

But first comes the 2010 Legislature, which convenes Monday, where the bills will be debated and voted on. And there is little doubt that lawmakers will adopt the five bills in some form. The 53-member House GOP caucus unanimously adopted the package Wednesday morning.

Republican senators also debated the package but did not take a vote. Both meetings were closed to the public and press, but House Speaker Dave Clark, R-Santa Clara, who met with reporters afterward, said there was robust debate among Republican House members, with some new ideas floated on how to tighten up what he calls "legislative conduct."

The bill package includes:

A constitutional amendment that would set up a five-member independent ethics commission made up of three retired judges, a retired House member and a retired state senator. The commission would hear complaints against lawmakers in private. If the complaint becomes public, it is dismissed. Two residents may file a complaint, but one must have "firsthand knowledge" of the offense — in other words must have been present when the offense takes place. It takes at least four of the five commission members to vote in favor of sanction, so one of the former legislator/commissioners must vote to recommend sanctions.

Greater disclosure of financial and other possible conflicts of interests by legislators. They must detail any source of income greater than $5,000, ownership of stock above $5,000 and list any boards or advisory positions to which they belong. Candidates for legislative and statewide offices, too, must report conflicts.