BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �



                                          
                               SENATE RULES COMMITTEE
                          Senator Darrell Steinberg, Chair
                             2013-2014 Regular Session



          
          BILL NO:  SR 45

          AUTHOR:  Steinberg

          HEARING:  May 21, 2014

          VERSION:  As Introduced

          FISCAL:  N/A

          URGENCY:  N/A

          CONSULTANT:  Sandy Wood
          
          BILL SUMMARY:  Senate Resolution 45 asserts that the proper  
          operation of democratic government requires that public  
          officials be independent and impartial, that government policy  
          and decisions be made through the established process of  
          government, that public officials not use public office to  
          obtain personal benefits, that public officials avoid actions  
          that create the appearance of using public office to obtain a  
          personal benefit, and that the public have confidence in the  
          integrity of its government and public officials.  

          ANALYSIS:  SR 45 establishes the Standards of Conduct of the  
          Senate to affirm the high trust bestowed upon them by the  
          people and to promote public confidence in the integrity of the  
          Senate.  SR 45 delineates the conduct, duties and  
          responsibilities of every Senator, officer, and employee of the  
          Senate.  Additionally, SR 45 states that each Senator and each  
          officer or employee of the Senate is expected to report to the  
          proper authority any apparent and substantial violation of  
          these standards or related statutes, regulations, or rules, and  
          to consult with the Senate ombudsperson (created in Senate  
          Resolution 43), the Senate Committee on Legislative Ethics, or  
          any other appropriate governmental agency regarding the  
          propriety of any conduct that may violate these standards.










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          COMMENTS:  The Senate Standards of Conduct are contained in A  
          Guide To Laws On Official Conduct for Legislators and  
          Legislative Staff, Appendix III, for the 2013-14 Legislative  
          session.  Senate Resolution 45 adds the following italicized  
          language to the existing Senate Standards of Conduct:

               First - Each Senator shall conduct himself or herself so  
          as to justify the high trust reposed in him or her by the  
          people and to promote confidence in the integrity of the  
          Senate.
               Second - A Senator or officer or employee of the Senate  
          shall not engage in unethical conduct or tolerate such conduct  
          by others.  Each Senator and each officer or employee of the  
          Senate has a responsibility to report any apparent and  
          substantial violation of these standards and to consult with  
          the Senate Committee on Legislative Ethics or, at the option of  
          the individual, the Senate ombudsperson regarding the propriety  
          of any conduct that may violate these standards.  Moreover, a  
          Senator or officer or employee of the Senate shall not  
          retaliate against a person who reports possible violation of  
          these standards or against a person who the Senator, officer,  
          or employee believes made such a report.
               A Senator or officer or employee of the Senate shall not  
          seek or accept anything from anyone that would interfere with  
          the exercise of his or her independent judgment.
               A Senator or an officer or employee of the Senate shall  
          not discuss legislative business of any kind while attending or  
          hosting an event at which campaign funds or contributions are  
          solicited, provided, or discussed.
               Each Senator and each officer or employee of the Senate is  
          expected to report to the proper authority any apparent and  
          substantial violation of these standards or related statutes,  
          regulations, or rules, and to consult with the Senate  
          ombudsperson, the Senate Committee on Legislative Ethics, or  
          any other appropriate governmental agency regarding the  
          propriety of any conduct that may violate these standards.
          
          SUPPORT:  None received.

          OPPOSE:  None received.











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