H.3497 is a resolution that would change the House rules to align with the so-called ethics reform bill that passed last year.
This resolution would send all ethics complaints to the State Ethics Commission for investigation, excepting only those that deal with House rule violations. Half of the agency’s commissioners will now be appointed by the legislature. Once the commission issues its findings, the House Ethics Committee is to review the findings and either dismiss the complaint, issue an advisory opinion or hold a public hearing.
Under this resolution, ethics complaints would only need to be written, not sworn to, and the House Ethics Committee may charge a fine or fee for committee costs to an individual found guilty or pleads guilty.