COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION
MINUTES: April 10, 2006, 10:30 AM
LEGISLATION MEMBERS: Chair: Young; Legislators: Stewart-Cousins, Rogowsky, Oros, Bronz, Burrows, Maisano, Myers
IN ATTENDANCE: CA: L. Trentacoste; E. Cipollo; HR: P. Zeman; BOL: P. Ochacher, B. Bochow, S. Bass
With a quorum present, the Committee on Legislation was called to order at 10:35 a.m.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION:
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
Linda Trentacoste from the County Attorney’s Office and Perry Ochacher, Legislative Counsel to the Board of Legislators, presented the two versions of the legislation:
Version/Draft A has all five changes:
1. To require the appropriate financial disclosure form to be sent to a newly appointed reporting officer and volunteer to County boards and commissions along with said individual’s appointment letter;
2. To require newly appointed reporting officers and volunteers to County boards and commissions to file financial disclosure within thirty (30) days of the date of appointment regarding information, including gifts, which were provided to the person within ninety (90) days prior to the date of employment;
3. To impose a civil penalty of $10,000 as opposed to $25,000;
4. To require all volunteers appointed to County board and commissions to file financial disclosure
5. To add to Form B the disclosure of one’s marital status, spouse’s full name, and the names of all children under 21 living with you at home.
Version/Draft B has the following changes:
3. To impose a civil penalty of $10,000 as opposed to $25,000;
4. To require all volunteers appointed to County board and commissions to file financial disclosure
5. To add to Form B the disclosure of one’s marital status, spouse’s full name, and the names of all children under 21 living with you at home.
(Burrows, Stewart-Cousins) move to recess. The motion passed 6-0. The Committee on Legislation stood in recess until 1:30 p.m.
With a quorum present, the Committee on Legislation was reconvened at 1:35 p.m.
Commissioner of Human Resources, Paula Zeman, stated that her recommendation was to continue with the current process. In addition, the Commissioner stated that it is a very cumbersome task to acquire these financial disclosure forms.
Chairman Young stated that in light of Commissioner Zeman’s comments, the Committee may need to rethink its approach to this legislation. He then opened the floor for a discussion on whether or not to require a 90-day pre-appointment report.
There was then some discussion on the response time for the disclosure forms. The Committee agreed that there should be one reporting date for everyone, regardless of their appointment date. The appointee, upon their date of appointment, would be sent the forms and notified that they will be responsible for filing such financial disclosure forms on the set reporting date.
Mr. Ochacher addressed a previous question by Legislator Rogowsky concerning the reporting category of privately held investments/entities. It was agreed by the Committee that the category would read: “List the name of any privately held entity, in which during the reporting period, you had an ownership interest of at least 20% of the entity, or an investment with a total value of at least $50,000.”
There was then some discussion on the amount of the fines for failing to report or filing a false report. The Committee agreed to maintain the fine at $10,000.
Chairman Young asked that the Committee’s suggested changes be integrated into the legislation.
(Burrows, Myers) move to adjourn The Committee on Legislation. Motion passed 6-0. Committee on Legislation adjourned at 1:55 p.m.
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