Review the Draft Committee Print on Council Ethics Bill

Download the draft committee print.

Councilmember Muriel Bowser, Chair of the Committee on Government Operations, will hold a public roundtable on Wednesday, November 30 to hear public comments and feedback on the proposed ethics reforms.

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.