SPONSOR: Butz
This bill permits the Missouri Ethics Commission to initiate independent investigations without receipt of a complaint into violations of: lobbyist requirements; financial interest disclosure; campaign finance disclosure; codes of conduct promulgated by certain agencies; conflicts of interest; and the conduct of officials or employees of the State and its political subdivisions.
Complaints filed with the Ethics Commission shall require notarization.
If an investigation by the Commission fails to establish reasonable grounds to believe a violation has occurred, the investigation shall be terminated and the subject of the complaint shall be notified. If reasonable grounds to believe a violation has occurred are found, the Commission shall assign a special investigator and notify the person under investigation by registered mail within five days of the decision.
This bill changes the length of time an investigator has to submit their report to the Commission from 120 to 90 days, with no more than two additional successive periods of 90 days allowed.
If the Commission determines by a vote of at least four members that a violation has occurred, the person who is the subject of the report may appeal the determination of the Commission to the Circuit Court of Cole County no later than 14 days after he or she receive notice of the Commission's action.
This bill is the same as HB 450 (2023) and HB 1966 (2022).
Statutes affected: