Bill > SJR016

This joint resolution amends the legislative ethics rules to establish an Independent Legislative Ethics Commission composed of five individuals, including former judges and legislators, appointed through a process involving legislative leadership. It clarifies the grounds for ethics complaints, including violations of conduct codes and convictions of crimes involving moral turpitude, and sets a two-year statute of limitations for filing such complaints. The resolution also details procedures for reviewing complaints, including the authority of the commission chair, the subpoena powers of ethics committees, and the requirements for filing complaints and responses, emphasizing the need for sworn affidavits and good faith. Furthermore, it strengthens confidentiality rules regarding ethics complaints, with violations potentially leading to contempt of the Legislature, and outlines the process for the commission to make recommendations to ethics committees, including the redaction of dismissed allegations before public release. Finally, it specifies that meetings and hearings of ethics committees are subject to open meeting laws but can be closed for specific purposes, and allows for continuances of hearings when necessary.

https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/SJR016.html