O_SCE_2024A 07/08/2024 09:33:07 AM Committee Summary PUBLICSTAFF SUMMARY OF MEETINGOTHER COMMITTEE COMMITTEE ON SENATE COMMITTEE ON ETHICS Date 07/08/2024 Attendance Coleman X Gardner X Roberts X Lundeen X Gonzales X Time 09:33:07 AM to 01:03:04 PM Place SCR 352 This Meeting was called to order by Gonzales This Report was prepared by Katie Ruedebusch Hearing Items Action Taken hStatus Update Committee Discussion Only hCommittee Discussion of Next Steps Status Update - Committee Discussion Only 09:33:32 AM Chair Gonzales called the meeting to order. She discussed the status of the committee's proceedings and the meeting's agenda. Committee Discussion of Next Steps - 09:36:03 AM Motion Move that the Senate Ethics Committee meet in executive session in accordance with Section 24-6-402 (3)(a)(II) for the purpose of conducting attorney-client discussions and receiving legal advice concerning how the committee may proceed in this matter under Senate Rule 43 and other pertinent and applicable rules and statutes. Moved Gardner Seconded Coleman Yes Gardner Yes Roberts Yes Lundeen Yes Gonzales Yes YES: 5 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS 11:07:04 AM The committee adjourned its executive session and resumed the meeting. 11:09:58 AM Chair Gonzales discussed the evidence received to date and closed the evidentiary record. 11:13:28 AM Committee discussion ensued on the committee's next steps. 11:46:45 AM The committee took a brief recess. 11:47:20 AM The committee came back to order. 12:08:17 PM Motion Move that committee find by preponderance of the evidence and totality of the circumstances that on April 3, 2024, Senator Winter failed to meet the standard of Senate Rule 41 to promote public integrity and public confidence informed by a pattern of conduct as demonstrated by the evidence before the committee with additional evidence of mitigating circumstances. Moved Gardner Seconded Coleman No Gardner Yes Roberts Yes Lundeen Yes Gonzales Yes Final YES: 4 NO: 1 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS 12:39:21 PM Motion Move the committee recommend that the Senate President prepare and deliver a letter to Senator Winter admonishing her for the conduct on April 3, 2024, and the underlying pattern of that conduct and encouraging her to continue her course of rehabilitation and that the letter include conduct expected of Senators under Rule 41. In addition, Senator Winter should be invited the opportunity to address the full Senate about her conduct that formed the basis of the complaint on April 3, 2024. Moved Gardner Seconded Coleman Yes Gardner Yes Roberts Yes Lundeen Yes Gonzales Yes YES: 5 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS 12:40:16 PM Motion Move that the committee recommend that Senator Winter be made aware that if she fails to uphold her duties and expectations under Senate Rule 41 or fails to continue addressing the issues addressed in the complaint, Senate leadership or Senate members may take action by resolution to the full Senate for sanctions without need to refer to a future ethics committee. Moved Gardner Seconded Coleman No Gardner Yes Roberts Yes Lundeen Yes Gonzales Yes YES: 4 NO: 1 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS 12:43:35 PM Motion Move the chair or vice chair, or their designees, draft a final report of the committee and that fellow committee members be allowed input for the report. The chair and vice chair may finalize the report. Members may be permitted to submit any concurrence or minority report in addition to the committee's report which would be included in the transmission to the Senate President. Moved Gardner Seconded Coleman Yes Gardner Yes Roberts Yes Lundeen Yes Gonzales Yes YES: 5 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS 12:54:44 PM The committee discussed a motion related to possible changes to Senate Rule 43. Senator Roberts made a motion, but withdrew his request. The committee will informally continue discussions on improving the clarity of Rule 43. 12:58:52 PM Chair Gonzales made closing remarks and thanked the committee for their work. 01:03:04 PM The committee adjourned.
