Bill Summary

by Maney  CS Sponsors: Rules & Ethics Committee

Ethics: Prohibits candidates, elected public officers, appointed public officers, & public employees from knowingly misrepresenting their Armed Forces of United States service records, awards, or qualifications or wearing any uniform, medal, or insignia that they are not authorized to wear; provides civil penalties; provides that certain penalties are delinquent if they aren't paid to Commission on Ethics within specified timeframe; requires Attorney General to attempt to determine whether individual owing certain penalties is current public officer or public employee; requires Attorney General to notify CFO or governing body of county, municipality, school district, or special district of total amount of any such penalty owed by current public officer or public employee; requires CFO or governing body to begin withholding portions of any salary-related payment that would otherwise be paid to officer or employee; requires that withheld payments be remitted to commission until penalty is satisfied; authorizes CFO or governing body to retain portion of each retained payment for administrative costs; authorizes Attorney General to refer certain unpaid fines to collection agency; authorizes collection agency to use any lawful collection method; authorizes Attorney General to collect unpaid fine within specified period after issuance of civil penalty or restitution penalty. Effective Date: July 1, 2025

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