HEARING ALERT: Public Integrity Act Of 2017

Important Legislation Aims to Eliminate Conflicts of Interest that Erode Trust in Public Officials
Note: House Environment And Transportation Committee to Hold Hearing on HB 879 on February 22, 2017, 1:00 PM

"Today we are introducing the Public Integrity Act of 2017. We cannot allow the unethical behavior of the few to tarnish the goodwill of the many in our state capital. We cannot allow a culture of corruption to take root and to grow in our state. Together we have a shared obligation to restore the honor and the foundation of public trust that these proud institutions once held.” - Governor Larry Hogan, January 19, 2017

Governor Hogan Pledged That He Would Restore Integrity To Annapolis

Candidate Larry Hogan: “On Day One We Are Going To Get To Work On Cleaning Up The Mess In Annapolis And Restoring Integrity To Our State Capital.” (“Larry Hogan Gubernatorial Announcement Speech,” Change Maryland, 1/31/14)

The Hogan Administration Has Worked To Root Out Corruption Across The State

Following His Inauguration, Governor Hogan Acted Quickly And Signed An Executive Order To Hold Public Officials Accountable; Executive Order Outlined The Standards Of Conduct For All Members Of The Executive Branch.
Executive Order Barred Members Of The Executive Branch From Certain Activities. "Less than three hours after taking office, Hogan had already signed his first executive order. It bars state employees from the executive branch from soliciting any kind of gift from anyone doing business with the state, and he ordered state employees not to give anyone any special treatment. ‘My first act as Governor holds all those who serve in the Executive Branch of state government to the highest possible ethical standards,’ Governor Hogan said in a news release announcing the executive order.” (“Larry Hogan Sworn In As Maryland’s 62nd Governor,” WBAL, 1/21/15)

Governor Hogan Worked In Conjunction With State And Federal Partners To Target Corruption At The Eastern Correctional Institution; Efforts Led To The Arrest Of 80 Individuals Involved In A Racketeering Conspiracy, The Largest Federal Indictment In State History. “Federal authorities have won indictments against 80 people, including corrections officers and inmates, in an alleged conspiracy to sneak heroin, cocaine, cellphones, pornography and other contraband into the Eastern Correctional Institution in Westover. The largest federal indictment in Maryland history is the latest to allege that officers and inmates used sex, drugs and violence to run a criminal enterprise out of a state prison facility.” (Kevin Rector, Justin Fenton, and Jessica Anderson, “Feds Indict 80 People - Including 18 Corrections Officers - In ‘Massive’ Maryland Prison Corruption Case,” The Baltimore Sun, 10/5/16)
Governor Hogan: “The indictments announced today are a clear victory in the fight against corruption, and I want to thank all the hardworking federal and state law enforcement officers whose tireless dedication and sacrifice made it possible. This morning, I spoke with Maryland U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein and personally commended him for his work and partnership with our state investigators to successfully execute this complex operation. While running for office, I made it clear that the systemic corruption that had been allowed to take hold in our state prison system was unacceptable, and I promised Marylanders that our administration would combat it head on. Today, together with our federal partners, we have taken decisive action to make good on that promise.” (Press Release, “Statement From Governor Larry Hogan On Eastern Correctional Institution Corruption Indictments,” Office Of The Governor, 10/5/16)

Governor Hogan Has Received Widespread, Bipartisan Support For His Ethics Reform Proposals

Capital Gazette Editorial: “Lawmakers Should Act On Hogan’s Ethics Bills” (Editorial, “Our Say: Lawmakers Should Act On Hogan’s Ethics Bills,” Capital Gazette, 1/23/17)
“All of Hogan’s ideas are worth passing.”


“Democrats may not like it that a popular governor now has the opportunity to take the high ground by advocating cleaner and more open government – but they are the ones whose lack of action created this opening for him.”

Carroll County Times Editorial: “State Officials Must Back Hogan’s Public Integrity Act” (Editorial, “State Officials Must Back Hogan’s Public Integrity Act,” Carroll County Times, 1/21/17)
“Holding government officials more accountable? Rooting out corruption? Having government business conducted in the open? Less politicized voting districts? Yes, yes, yes, and yes, please. (Editorial, “State Officials Must Back Hogan’s Public Integrity Act,” Carroll County Times, 1/21/17)
“These proposals are far from partisan, rather they are simply good government and deserve the support of the entire legislature.” (Editorial, “State Officials Must Back Hogan’s Public Integrity Act,” Carroll County Times, 1/21/17)

Senate President Mike Miller (D): “Ethics is going to be a major focus of the 2017 session. We look forward to looking at the governor’s proposals and working with him.” (Bryan Sears, “Hogan Legislation Focuses On Redistricting, Ethics And Lobbying Reform,” The Daily Record, 1/19/17)

Senate Minority Leader J.B. Jennings (R): “This should be about letting the voters and the public know that they can trust their state government to do what is ethically moral and what is right." (Pamela Wood, “Hogan Proposes Maryland Government Ethics Reforms,” The Baltimore Sun, 1/19/17)
“These are great pieces of legislation that will help us clean up the political environment here in Maryland and I look forward to working on their passage.” (“Senator J.B. Jennings,” Facebook, 1/19/17)

Senator Douglas J.J. Peters (D): “I don’t think any of us would not support more transparency.” (Pamela Wood, “Hogan Proposes Maryland Government Ethics Reforms,” The Baltimore Sun, 1/19/17)

Speaker Mike Busch (D): "We look forward to working with the governor to make sure Maryland has the highest standards of transparency and ethics.” (“Gov. Larry Hogan Proposes Sweeping Ethics Reforms,” WBALTV, 1/19/17)

House Minority Leader Nic Kipke (R): “[Hogan’s ideas] would go a long way to deter some of the bad behavior that occurs.” (Pamela Wood, “Hogan Proposes Maryland Government Ethics Reforms,” The Baltimore Sun, 1/19/17)

Delegate Bob Long (R): “As an elected official, we all need to be held accountable and set an example for our fellow citizens.” (“Delegate Bob Long, 6th District,” Facebook, 1/20/17)

Delegate Deb Rey (R): “Governor Hogan is leading the way in cleaning up the ‘Good Ol Boy’ government in Annapolis. I definitely support his efforts on Ethics Reform, Transparency and Liquor board appointments. And of course, his redistricting efforts are laudable.” (“Deb Rey For Delegate,” Facebook, 1/19/17)

Public Integrity Act Of 2017

Governor Hogan’s Proposal Prohibits Former Officials And Employees Of The Legislative And Executive Branch From Lobbying For One Year After Leaving State Service. “A former official or employee of the Legislative Branch or Executive Branch may not assist or represent another party for compensation in a manner that is the subject of legislative action for 1 calendar year after the official or employee leaves employment with the Legislative Branch or the Executive Branch.” (“House Bill 879,” Maryland General Assembly, 2/6/17)

The Governor’s Proposal Prohibits Legislators From Pushing Or Affecting Legislation That Directly Benefits Their Employer Or A Business They Own. “A member of the General Assembly may not take legislative action, or otherwise attempt to influence amy legislation, that affects an entity: that employs the member or in which the member has, or is in the process of acquiring, an interest; and that the State has awarded, or for which the State is reviewing an award of, a license, a lease, or contract or any State funds.” (“House Bill 879,” Maryland General Assembly, 2/6/17)

The Governor’s Proposal Reforms Current Ethics Laws To Give The State Ethics Commission Oversight Over All Elected Officials And Registered Lobbyists And Consultants. “The Ethics Commission consists of the following members: one member of the Senate of Maryland appointed by the President of the Senate; one member of the house of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the House; and the following seven members appointed by the Governor: with the advice and consent of the Senate, five members, at least one of whom shall be a member of the principal political party of which the Governor is not a member; one member nominated by the President of the Senate; and one member nominated by the Speaker of the House.” (“House Bill 879,” Maryland General Assembly, 2/6/17)