The proposed bill, Substitute House Bill No. 7185, mandates the Office of State Ethics to conduct a comprehensive study of the existing laws within the State Codes of Ethics that govern public officials and lobbyists. The objective of this study is to assess whether any amendments are necessary to enhance government oversight of these officials and lobbyists. The bill stipulates that the executive director of the Office of State Ethics must submit a report detailing the findings and any legislative recommendations to the relevant joint standing committee of the General Assembly by February 1, 2026.

The bill introduces new legal language by designating this initiative as a new section effective from the date of passage. It does not delete any existing legal language but rather adds to the current framework of ethics oversight. The fiscal impact of the bill is projected to be negligible, as the Office of State Ethics is already equipped with the necessary resources to carry out the study without incurring additional costs.