BILL ANALYSIS �
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THIRD READING
Bill No: SR 45
Author: Steinberg (D) and De Le�n (D)
Amended: As introduced
Vote: 21
SENATE RULES COMMITTEE : 4-0, 5/21/14
AYES: Steinberg, Fuller, Lara, Mitchell
NO VOTE RECORDED: Knight
SUBJECT : Senate Standards of Conduct
SOURCE : Author
DIGEST : This resolution updates the Standards of Conduct of
the Senate to require each Senator to conduct himself/herself so
as to justify the high trust reposed in him/her by the people
and to promote public confidence in the integrity of the Senate.
ANALYSIS : Provisions of the California Constitution, the
Political Reform Act, and other sections of the Government Code
regulate the official conduct of Members of the Legislature and
legislative staff. Among other things, Members and staff are
subject to limits on gifts from lobbyists and others, a ban on
speaking fees, rules governing conflicts of interest, and the
requirement of disclosure of their financial interests.
Further, the law provides that legislative resources may be used
only for legislative purposes, not for personal or campaign
purposes. To insure awareness of these provisions, Members of
the Legislature, most legislative staff, and registered
lobbyists must attend an ethics orientation course once in every
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two-year session. Each house of the Legislature has an ethics
committee, responsible for training, advice, and investigation
of complaints.
The current Standards of Conduct of the Senate were adopted on
May 4, 1992 (SR 38, Committee on Legislative Ethics) and
intended to express an ideal for and provide guidance to
Senators and all persons who serve as legislative staff members.
This resolution adds the following to the Standards of Conduct:
1.Each Senator shall conduct himself/herself so as to justify
the high trust reposed in him/her by the people and to promote
confidence in the integrity of the Senate.
2.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.
3.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.
FISCAL EFFECT : Fiscal Com.: No
JA:e 5/22/14 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: NONE RECEIVED
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