HB 23-1065

House Bill 23-1065, also known as the "Local Government Independent Ethics Commission," expands the authority of Colorado's independent ethics commission. Currently, this commission can only handle complaints about state officials and employees but not those from local entities like special districts or school districts. The bill changes that by allowing the commission to investigate and address ethical issues involving officials and employees in counties, municipalities, special districts, and school districts. This means that all local government workers will now be subject to the same ethics standards and oversight as state-level employees. Since the status of this bill is "signed," it has been approved by both houses of the legislature and signed into law by the governor, meaning its provisions are now in effect.

Official Summary

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 special district official, special district employee, school district official, or school district 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 . (Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.) (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

Votes