49.  COMMITTEE ON ETHICS
House Rules
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49. COMMITTEE ON ETHICS
(a) Any person who has knowledge concerning misconduct involving legislative duties by a member of the House, including but not limited to the alleged violation of the Rules of the House of Representatives or of section 40 of article V of the state constitution, may file a written, signed complaint with the Speaker setting forth the facts that constitute the alleged misconduct and specifying the statutes, rules, constitutional provisions, or other ethical principles alleged to have been violated. The Speaker shall provide the member complained against with a copy of the complaint. The Speaker shall consult with the majority leader and the minority leader about the complaint. The Speaker may ask the member complained against to provide an explanation of his or her understanding of the issues raised in the complaint for the purpose of assisting the Speaker, the majority leader, and the minority leader in making a preliminary determination of whether or not the complaint appears to be meritorious. The fact that a complaint has been filed and any documents relating thereto shall be kept confidential by the Speaker, the majority leader, and the minority leader. If at least two of the three leaders conclude that the complaint does not appear to be meritorious, the complaint shall be dismissed, and the complainant and the member complained against shall be so notified. If the complaint is dismissed, it shall continue to be kept confidential by the Speaker, the majority leader, and the minority leader.

(b) If the complaint is not dismissed pursuant to subsection (a) of this rule, the Speaker shall appoint a committee on ethics, which shall consist of not less than five nor more than seven members. The party representation on the committee shall be in proportion generally to the relative number of members of the two major political parties in the House. The majority party members of the committee shall be selected from among the chairmen of committees of reference of the House. The minority party members of the committee shall be selected, after considering recommendations by the minority leader, from among the members of the House who are senior in service and experience. The Speaker shall designate the chairman and vice-chairman of the committee from among its members.

(c) The person complained against may submit a written answer to the committee within ten days after appointment of the committee. The committee shall make a preliminary investigation of the complaint. The preliminary investigation shall consist of an examination of the complaint, the answer, if any, and any other evidence compiled pursuant to the request of the committee, but the committee shall not receive testimony or other evidence from other sources. The preliminary investigation shall be completed within thirty days after appointment of the committee. If, after the preliminary investigation, the committee determines no violation has occurred, the complaint shall be dismissed.

(d) If, after the preliminary investigation, the committee determines probable cause exists to find that a violation may have occurred, it shall so notify the person complained against. Within seven days after such notification, such person may request a hearing before the committee, at which he or she shall be entitled to appear, present evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and be represented by counsel. The committee shall have the power to take testimony under oath and to issue subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum in the manner provided by Joint Rule No. 33 (b), (c), and (d) of the Joint Rules of the Senate and House of Representatives. The hearing shall commence within fourteen days after receipt of the request for a hearing.

(e) All proceedings of the committee shall be governed by the provisions of part 4 of article 6 and part 2 of article 72 of title 24, Colorado Revised Statutes.

(f) After a hearing held pursuant to subsection (d) of this rule, the committee may dismiss the complaint, or, if it finds that action should be taken against the member complained against, it shall make appropriate recommendations to the House of Representatives, including reprimand, censure, or expulsion. Expulsion of a House member shall require the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members elected to the House. Reprimand or censure of a member shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of the members elected to the House.

(g) Action of the leadership, the ethics committee, or the House pursuant to this rule is final and not subject to court review. Nothing in this rule shall prohibit the House of Representatives from taking any action based upon its authority to judge the qualifications of its members pursuant to Section 10 of Article V of the state Constitution.

(h) The committee may retain such counsel and may hire such investigators as it deems necessary for the performance of its duties under this rule. All expenditures incurred pursuant to this subsection (h) shall be approved by the Speaker and paid by vouchers and warrants drawn as provided by law from appropriations made to the General Assembly.

(i) The committee may adopt rules of procedure for the orderly conduct of its meetings, investigations, and hearings, which rules shall be consistent with this rule and other applicable rules and statutes.

(j) If the complaint concerns misconduct of the Speaker, then the duties of the Speaker in this rule shall be the duties of the majority floor leader and the duties of the majority floor leader shall be the duties of the assistant majority leader. If the complaint concerns misconduct of the majority floor leader or the minority leader, then the duties of such leader in this rule shall be the duties of the assistant majority leader or the assistant minority leader, as the case may be.