RSSRoundtable on B19-511 (Ethics) Committee Print
Draft Committee Print of Bill 19-511, the Board of Ethics and Government Accountability Establishment and Comprehensive Ethics Reform Amendment Act of 2011
Councilmember Muriel Bowser, Chair of the Committee on Government Operations, announces a public roundtable on the Committee’s draft print of bill 19-511, Board of Ethics and Government Accountability Establishment and Comprehensive Ethics Reform Amendment Act of 2011. The draft committee print will be made available on the Council’s website or by contacting Judah Gluckman, Legislative Counsel to the Committee on Government Operations, at (202) 724-8025, or via e-mail at jgluckman@dccouncil.us. The title of the draft print reflects a proposed title change. As introduced, Bill 19-511 was entitled the Campaign Finance Reform and Conflict of Interest Public Disclosure Amendment Act of 2011.
A hearing on ten bills related to ethics reform in the District of Columbia was convened on Wednesday, October 26th. Dozens of witnesses from the public and government testified to the importance of ethics reform, many of whom offered specific recommendations. Of note, several witnesses supported the creation of an independent ethics commission responsible for enforcing the entirety of District’s ethics laws, including the enforcement of new, strict penalties. Witnesses also supported increased regulation of constituent services funds and disclosure requirements for inauguration and transition activities. Testimony was also given supporting a prohibition on discounted legal services to elected officials, and to enhanced disclosure requirements for elected officials. The draft committee print embodies these suggestions and adopts specific language from the ten ethics bills previously introduced.
Unlike the October 26th hearing, the purpose of this public roundtable is to elicit comments on a specific proposal, and to provide the public an additional opportunity to be heard. The committee print is in draft form. Based upon comments received at the public roundtable, the draft print will likely be amended before the Committee meeting.
Individuals and representatives of organizations who wish to testify at the public roundtable are asked to register online or telephone Judah Gluckman, Legislative Counsel to the Committee on Government Operations, at (202) 724-8025, or via e-mail at jgluckman@dccouncil.us and furnish their names, addresses, telephone numbers, and organizational affiliation, if any, by the 11:00 AM Tuesday, November 29, 2011. Persons presenting testimony may be limited to 3 minutes in order to permit each witness an opportunity to be heard.
If you are unable to testify at the public roundtable, written statements are encouraged and will be made a part of the official record. Copies of written statements should be submitted to the Committee on Government Operations, Council of the District of Columbia, Suite 113 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20004 no later than November 30, 2011.
