CS/HB 399: Ethics
GENERAL BILL by Rules & Ethics Committee ; Maney ; (CO-INTRODUCERS) Benarroch ; Caruso ; Joseph ; Melo
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.
Last Action: 4/8/2025 House - Added to Second Reading Calendar
Bill Text: PDF
Bill History
| Date | Chamber | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 2/5/2025 | House |
• Filed |
| 2/12/2025 | House |
• Referred to Rules & Ethics Committee • Referred to Judiciary Committee • Referred to State Affairs Committee • Now in Rules & Ethics Committee |
| 3/4/2025 | House |
• 1st Reading (Original Filed Version) |
| 3/18/2025 | House |
• Added to Rules & Ethics Committee agenda |
| 3/20/2025 | House |
• Favorable with CS by Rules & Ethics Committee |
| 3/21/2025 | House |
• Reported out of Rules & Ethics Committee • Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a) • CS Filed |
| 3/24/2025 | House |
• 1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1) • Referred to Judiciary Committee • Referred to State Affairs Committee • Now in Judiciary Committee |
| 3/31/2025 | House |
• Added to Judiciary Committee agenda |
| 4/2/2025 | House |
• Favorable by Judiciary Committee • Reported out of Judiciary Committee • Now in State Affairs Committee |
| 4/4/2025 | House |
• Added to State Affairs Committee agenda |
| 4/8/2025 | House |
• Favorable by State Affairs Committee • Reported out of State Affairs Committee • Bill released to House Calendar • Added to Second Reading Calendar |
