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Joint Legislative Ethics Committee, Ohio State Legislature
The Joint Legislative Ethics Committee is a joint committee of the Ohio General Assembly.
Joint committees of the Ohio General Assembly are established by state statute.
Function
According to state statute, the Joint Legislative Ethics Committee:
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(1) Shall recommend a code of ethics that is consistent with law to govern all members and employees of each house of the general assembly and all candidates for the office of member of each house; (2) May receive and hear any complaint that alleges a breach of any privilege of either house, or misconduct of any member, employee, or candidate, or any violation of the appropriate code of ethics; (3) May obtain information with respect to any complaint filed pursuant to this section and to that end may enforce the attendance and testimony of witnesses, and the production of books and papers; (4) May recommend whatever sanction is appropriate with respect to a particular member, employee, or candidate as will best maintain in the minds of the public a good opinion of the conduct and character of members and employees of the general assembly; (5) May recommend legislation to the general assembly relating to the conduct and ethics of members and employees of and candidates for the general assembly; (6) Shall employ an executive director for the committee and may employ other staff as the committee determines necessary to assist it in exercising its powers and duties. The executive director and staff of the committee shall be known as the office of legislative inspector general. At least one member of the staff of the committee shall be an attorney at law licensed to practice law in this state. The appointment and removal of the executive director shall require the approval of at least eight members of the committee. (7) May employ a special counsel to assist the committee in exercising its powers and duties. The appointment and removal of a special counsel shall require the approval of at least eight members of the committee. (8) Shall act as an advisory body to the general assembly and to individual members, candidates, and employees on questions relating to ethics, possible conflicts of interest, and financial disclosure; (9) Shall provide for the proper forms on which a statement required pursuant to section 102.02 or 102.021 of the Revised Code shall be filed and instructions as to the filing of the statement; (10) Exercise the powers and duties prescribed under sections 101.70 to 101.79, sections 101.90 to 101.98, Chapter 102., and sections 121.60 to 121.69 of the Revised Code; (11) Adopt, in accordance with section 111.15 of the Revised Code, any rules that are necessary to implement and clarify Chapter 102. and sections 2921.42 and 2921.43 of the Revised Code.[1][2] |
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The committee's website stated:
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The Joint Legislative Ethics Committee (JLEC) is the bipartisan ethics body that advises Ohio’s legislative branch of government on matters concerning ethics, conflicts of interest, and financial disclosure. The Office of the Legislative Inspector General (OLIG) is the Committee’s administrative office. Members and employees of the general assembly, candidates for the general assembly, and the employees of the state’s legislative agencies are within JLEC’s jurisdiction. The Committee has the authority to: issue advisory opinions; receive, investigate, and hear complaints of ethics violations; and recommend appropriate sanctions. The Committee is comprised of twelve general assembly members—six from each chamber, with equal representation of the two major political parties. Members from the Senate are appointed by the Senate President. Members from the House of Representatives are appointed by the Speaker of the House. Each member’s appointment is for the duration of the legislative session. Chairmanship alternates each year between the Senate President and the Speaker. Collectively, the Committee appoints an Executive Director/Legislative Inspector General.[3][2] |
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Membership
Note: This membership information was last updated in September 2023. Ballotpedia completes yearly updates of committee membership. If you would like to send us an update, email us at: editor@ballotpedia.org
2023-2024 legislative session
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Joint Legislative Ethics Committee, 2023-2024 |
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| Democratic members (5) | Republican members (6) | Third-party members(0) |
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2021-2022 legislative session
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Joint Legislative Ethics Committee, 2021-2022 |
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| Democratic members (6) | Republican members (6) | Third-party members(0) |
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2019-2020 legislative session
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Joint Legislative Ethics Committee, 2019-2020 |
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| Democratic members (6) | Republican members (5) | Third-party members(0) |
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James Butler (R) left this committee on December 31, 2020.
2017 legislative session
The following table describes committee membership at the beginning of the 2017 legislative session.
| Joint Legislative Ethics Members, 2017 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic members (6) | Republican members (6) | |||
| • Fred Strahorn | • Cliff Rosenberger, Chair | |||
| • Joseph Schiavoni | • Larry Obhof, Vice chair | |||
| • Nickie Antonio | • Matt Huffman | |||
| • Nicholas Celebrezze | • Bob Cupp | |||
| • Sean O'Brien | • Scott Oelslager | |||
| • Vernon Sykes | • Dorothy Pelanda | |||
2015 legislative session
| Joint Legislative Ethics Senate Members, 2015 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic members (3) | Republican members (3) | |||
| • Joe Schiavoni | • Keith Faber, Vice Chairman | |||
| • Capri Cafaro | • Larry Obhof | |||
| • Lou Gentile | • Scott Oelslager | |||
| Joint Legislative Ethics House Members, 2015 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic members (3) | Republican members (3) | |||
| • Fred Strahorn | • Cliff Rosenberger, Chairman | |||
| • Kevin Boyce | • Ron Amstutz | |||
| • Nicholas Celebrezze | • Dorothy Pelanda | |||
2013-2014
| Joint Legislative Ethics Senate Members, 2013-2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic members (3) | Republican members (3) | |||
| • Joe Schiavoni | • Keith Faber | |||
| • Capri Cafaro | • Larry Obhof | |||
| • Eric Kearney | • Scott Oelslager | |||
| Joint Legislative Ethics House Members, 2013-2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic members (3) | Republican members (3) | |||
| • Tracy Maxwell Heard | • William G. Batchelder | |||
| • Mike Ashford | • Matt Huffman | |||
| • Debbie Phillips | • Gerald L. Stebelton | |||
2011-2012
| Joint Legislative Ethics Senate Members, 2011-2012 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic members (3) | Republican members (3) | |||
| • Capri Cafaro | • Tom Niehaus | |||
| • Joe Schiavoni | • Keith Faber | |||
| • Michael Skindell | • Scott Oelslager | |||
| Joint Legislative Ethics House Members, 2011-2012 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic members (3) | Republican members (3) | |||
| • Armond Budish | • William Batchelder | |||
| • Tracy Heard | • Lou Blessing, Jr. | |||
| • Matt Szollosi | • Matt Huffman | |||
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Ohio Laws and Rules, "101.34 Joint legislative ethics committee - fund.," accessed February 26, 2021(Ohio Revised Code Title 1, Section 101.34 (a))
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Ohio General Assembly, "Joint Legislative Ethics Committee," accessed February 26, 2021
