Democratic state lawmakers are pushing for the expansion of the jurisdiction of Colorado’s independent ethics commission with House Bill 1079. This bill would add school board members, superintendents, and boards of special districts to the commission’s oversight. The bill aims to address complaints of school boards failing to follow policies, handling employee misconduct, and violating state laws. The commission currently focuses on violations of the state’s gift ban and lobbying by former lawmakers.
Rep. Tammy Story, the bill’s sponsor, argues that the bill will not lead to more frivolous complaints and that there is a need to hold school boards accountable. However, concerns have been raised about the cost of implementing the bill without additional funding. The commission’s workload could be overwhelmed without adequate resources.
The bill has faced opposition from Republicans, who label it as an unfunded mandate that may not effectively address complaints. Despite these concerns, HB 1079 passed a party-line vote in the House Transportation, Housing, and Local Government Committee. It now heads to the House Appropriations Committee for further consideration.
If enacted, the bill would significantly expand the commission’s jurisdiction, impacting thousands of individuals in local and state governments. While the bill aims to address accountability issues within school boards and special districts, questions remain about the practicality of implementation without additional resources. The debate over HB 1079 highlights ongoing challenges in ensuring ethical practices in Colorado’s public institutions.
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