Bill > HB794

This bill revises and updates the ethics code and board of ethics for Clayton County, establishing comprehensive guidelines for ethical conduct among county officials and employees. The bill creates a new eight-member board of ethics appointed by the grand jury and tax commissioner, with strict eligibility requirements including residency, background checks, and prohibitions on recent political involvement. The board will be fully independent, with its own budget and the ability to employ staff, including an ethics officer and ethics administrator. Key provisions include detailed definitions of conflicts of interest, prohibitions on using public office for private gain, requirements for disclosing potential conflicts, and procedures for filing and investigating ethics complaints. The bill establishes a formal process for handling ethics violations, including the ability to issue subpoenas, conduct hearings, and impose sanctions up to $1,000 and public reprimands. The ethics board is empowered to provide advisory opinions, investigate complaints, and refer potential criminal activities to law enforcement. The ethics officer and administrator will be responsible for education, monitoring, and supporting the board's work, with requirements for regular reporting and maintaining ethical standards across the county government.

Government Affairs

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71419