4537192 Public Hearing Notice on B20-264, “Voter Registration Access and Modernization Amendment Act of 2013" and B20-412, "Universal Code of Conduct and BEGA Amendment Act of 2013"

Council of the District of Columbia

COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Notice of Public Hearing

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004

 

Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie, Chairperson

Committee on Government Operations

 

Announces a Public Hearing on

 

B20-0264 The “Voter Registration Access and Modernization Amendment Act of 2013”

 

and

 

B20-0412 the “Universal Code of Conduct and BEGA Amendment Act of 2013”

 

October 7, 2013, 11:00 AM

Room 412 John A. Wilson Building

1350 Pennsylvania Ave., NW

Washington, D.C. 20004

         

On October 7, 2013, Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie, Chairperson of the Committee on Government Operations, will convene a public hearing on B20-0264 The “Voter Registration Access and Modernization Amendment of 2013” and B20-0412 the “Universal Code of Conduct and BEGA Amendment Act of 2013”. This public hearing will be held in Room 412 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Ave, NW at 11:00 AM.

 

The purpose of this hearing is to give the public the opportunity to comment on these measures. The following is an outline of the stated purpose of each bill scheduled to be considered at this hearing:

 

·         The stated purpose of the “Voter Registration Access and Modernization Amendment of 2013” is to amend the District of Columbia Election Code of 1955 to authorize the Board of Elections to provide and operate an online voter registration system and allow an individual to apply to become a registered voter and update voter registration information through an online voter registration system.

 

·         The stated purpose of the “Universal Code of Conduct and BEGA Amendment Act 2013” To amend the Board of Ethics and Government Accountability Establishment and 15 Comprehensive Ethics Reform Amendment Act of 2011 to subject certain conduct to the 16 Code of Conduct enforceable by the Board of Ethics and Government Accountability; to 17 clarify that the Code of Conduct applies to the entire District government and its 18 instrumentalities, while excluding the courts; to require the Board to develop a universal 19 Code of Conduct for review and approval by the Council; to allow the Director access to 20 government records without a subpoena; to require District employees and public officials 21 to cooperate with official functions of the Board, subject to penalties for knowing or 22 willful false statements; to allow the Director 30 days from the initiation of a formal 23 investigation to present evidence to the Board; to allow the Director to pursue a civil fine 24 and refer matters for criminal prosecution; to clarify that any failure to obey the order of 25 the court enforcing a penalty imposed by the Board may be treated by the court as 26 contempt; and to create an affirmative obligation for employees and public officials to 27 report conduct that violates the Code of Conduct.

 

 

The Committee invites the public to testify or to submit written testimony, which will be made a part of the official record. Anyone wishing to testify at the hearing should contact Mr. Ronan Gulstone, Committee Director at [phone], or via e-mail at [e-mail], and provide their name, address, telephone number, organizational affiliation and title (if any) by close of business Thursday October, 3 2013.  Representatives of organizations will be allowed a maximum of five (5) minutes for oral presentation and individuals will be allowed a maximum of three (3) minutes for oral presentation. Witnesses should bring 10 copies of their written testimony and if possible submit a copy of their testimony electronically to [e-mail].

 

If you are unable to testify at the hearing, written statements are encouraged and will be made a part of the official record.  Copies of written statements should be submitted either to the Committee, or to Ms. Nyasha Smith, Secretary to the Council, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite 5, Washington, D.C. 20004.  The record will close at the end of the business day on October 23, 2013.