House Bill No. by Representative Beaullieu proposes comprehensive amendments to the Code of Governmental Ethics in Louisiana, focusing on enhancing transparency and accountability for public servants. The bill introduces new definitions, such as "public speech," and clarifies the conditions under which public servants can accept payments and gifts. Key changes include raising the threshold for reporting campaign contributions from $1,000 to $2,000 for individuals appointed to state boards or commissions, increasing the gift reporting threshold from $100 to $200 per event, and expanding exceptions for public servants regarding participation in events hosted by qualifying organizations. Additionally, the bill mandates that financial disclosure statements redact personal addresses and outlines the procedures for public hearings related to ethics violations.

The bill also revises the procedures and rights of public servants during investigations and hearings conducted by the Board of Ethics. It requires the Board to provide respondents with a final report summarizing the investigation and allows them to respond to this report and present evidence during hearings. Hearings must be recorded by a certified court reporter, and individuals are granted the right to have legal counsel present and to subpoena witnesses. Furthermore, the bill retains existing laws regarding compensation for public servants while clarifying that certain awards for public school teachers will be considered compensation. Overall, these amendments aim to strengthen ethical oversight and ensure due process for public servants in Louisiana.

Statutes affected:
HB397 Original: 42:1102(22), 42:1113(D)(2), 42:1123(16), 42:2(D), 42:3(C)(1), 42:4(D)(3), 42:6(A)(2), 42:1134(I), 42:1141(B)(1), 42:4(B)(2), 42:4(D)(2)