5833500 Resolution 21-363, District of Columbia Board of Ethics and Government Accountability Carol Schwartz Confirmation Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2016

A RESOLUTION

                                                        

21-363

 

IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

 

January 5, 2016        

 

 

To declare the existence of an emergency with respect to the need to confirm the appointment of Ms. Carol Schwartz to the District of Columbia Board of Ethics and Government Accountability.

 

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the "District of Columbia Board of Ethics and Government Accountability Carol Schwartz Confirmation Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2016”.

 

            Sec. 2.  (a) The District of Columbia Board of Ethics and Government Accountability (“BEGA”) investigates alleged ethics law violations by District government employees and public officials, provides binding ethics advice, and conducts mandatory training on the District government’s Code of Conduct. The Office of Open Government is an independent office within BEGA that enforces the Open Meetings Act, monitors the District’s Freedom of Information Act compliance, and assists agencies with implementing open government practices.

(b) Section 203 of the Board of Ethics and Government Accountability Establishment and Comprehensive Ethics Reform Amendment Act of 2011, effective April 27, 2012 (D.C. Law 19-124; D.C. Official Code § 1-1162.03), provides that members shall be appointed for 6-year terms with the advice and consent of the Council.

(c) On November 23, 2015, Chairman Mendelson introduced, at the request of the Mayor, PR21-436, the District of Columbia Board of Ethics and Government Accountability Carol Schwartz Confirmation Resolution of 2015, to confirm Carol Schwartz to BEGA for a 6-year term.

(d) The Committee on the Judiciary held a public hearing on PR21-0436 on December 16, 2015.

(e) As there are currently 3 vacancies on BEGA and one member’s term is set to expire in July 2016, it is necessary to confirm Ms. Schwartz’s appointment on an emergency basis.

 (f) Without her confirmation, the Board risks the loss of a quorum to conduct its business.

 

            Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia determines that the circumstances enumerated in section 2 constitute emergency circumstances making it necessary that the District of Columbia Board of Ethics and Government Accountability Carol Schwarz Emergency Confirmation Resolution of 2016 be adopted on an emergency basis.

            Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.