Date: 01/13/2012

Final
Briefing from the Independent Ethics Commission

COMMITTEE ON JOINT JUDICIARY

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
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01:03 PM -- Briefing from the Independent Ethics Commission

Representative Gardner welcomed Dan Grossman and Jane Feldman from the Colorado Independent Ethics Commission (IEC). Commissioner Grossman, commission chair, discussed the charge of the IEC, which was established by Amendment 41 in 2006. He explained the work of the IEC with respect to ethics questions and complaints. The IEC is administratively connected with the Judicial Branch, but is an independent entity. Commissioner Grossman briefly discussed the budget of the commission, which is very small and only includes one full-time employee. In response to a request from Senator Carroll, Commissioner Grossman spoke about the strategic goals of the IEC, which are listed in the commission's strategic plan (Attachment A). Generally, the five-year objectives of the commission include revising the complaint process; expanding education and training opportunities for covered individuals; continuing timely responses to requests for advisory opinions; being more proactive in issuing guidance to covered individuals; speeding up the process for resolving non-frivolous complaints; and scheduling one or two meetings annually outside the Denver metro area.

JtJud0113AttachA.pdf

01:12 PM

Commissioner Grossman responded to questions from the committee about speeding up the commission's decision-making process. Ms. Feldman indicated that it currently takes between nine months and a year to resolve a complaint. The commission is more timely when answering questions and issuing letter rulings. Commissioner Grossman spoke about the constitutional charge of the committee and his concern with undermining that charge in any way. He discussed the importance of the independence of the commission.


01:22 PM

Representative Gardner announced that the House Judiciary Committee liaisons to the IEC are Representatives Duran and Nikkel. Commissioner Grossman informed the committee that Commissioner Butcher has recently resigned from the IEC and asked for assistance in getting a new appointment from the Speaker of the House.