Section 8945 Of Article 3. Joint Legislative Ethics Committee From California Government Code >> Division 2. >> Title 2. >> Part 1. >> Chapter 1. >> Article 3.
8945
. (a) If the committee determines that the complaint does not
allege facts, directly or upon information and belief, sufficient to
constitute a violation of any of the provisions of Article 2
(commencing with Section 8920), it shall dismiss the complaint and
notify the complainant and respondent thereof. If the committee has
sent a copy of the complaint to any other person or entity specified
in subdivision (d) of Section 8944, the committee shall also notify
that person or entity of its determination under this subdivision.
(b) If the committee determines that the complaint does allege
facts, directly or upon information and belief, sufficient to
constitute a violation of any of the provisions of Article 2
(commencing with Section 8920), the committee shall promptly
investigate the alleged violation and, if after the preliminary
investigation, the committee finds that probable cause exists for
believing the allegations of the complaint, it shall fix a time for a
hearing in the matter, which shall be not more than 30 days after
the finding. If, after the preliminary investigation, the committee
finds that probable cause does not exist for believing the
allegations of the complaint, the committee shall dismiss the
complaint. In either event the committee shall notify the complainant
and respondent of its determination.
(c) If a result of an investigation initiated pursuant to
subdivision (b) of Section 8943, determines that probable cause
exists for believing that a Member of the Legislature has violated
any of the provisions of Article 2 (commencing with Section 8920),
the committee shall fix a time for a hearing in the matter, which
shall be not more than 30 days after the determination.
(d) The committee shall make its determination under subdivision
(a) or (b) not later than 90 days after first receiving a complaint
which contains all of the information required by Section 8944. The
committee may, however, seek an extension, not to exceed 90 days,
which may be granted by a majority vote of the membership of each
house. If the committee has requested a law enforcement agency to
investigate the complaint or if the committee knows that the
complaint is being investigated by a law enforcement agency, the time
limits set forth in this subdivision shall be tolled until the
investigation is completed.
(e) The committee's determination under subdivision (b) or (c)
shall be stated in writing, with reasons given therefor, and shall be
provided to the house in which the respondent serves, the Attorney
General, the Fair Political Practices Commission, and the district
attorney of the county in which the alleged violation occurred. The
written determination provided pursuant to this subdivision is a
public record and open to public inspection.
(f) Any deliberations of the committee from the time of receipt of
a complaint until it decides to dismiss the complaint or to set a
hearing shall not be open to the public unless the respondent
requests a public meeting.