Ethics Commission says AB 66 likely to fail; online training and staff hires planned

Executive Director Ross Armstrong updated the Nevada Commission on Ethics on agency operations and the progress of several bills of interest to the agency.

Armstrong said the commission's priority education and outreach work includes building an online training platform; Phase 1 is nearly complete and a soft launch with quizzes and activities was targeted for June, with heavy in-person training anticipated in June and July. Armstrong said the commission is a subgrantee on a federal reimbursement grant that will continue to fund the online system once administrative steps are completed.

On legislation, Armstrong reported that AB 66 (the Nevada Commission on Ethics bill) was amended in the Assembly and "looks most likely" not to survive an upcoming second-house committee passage deadline. He said SB 207 failed to spread by the first deadline and that AB 474 is a one-time appropriation request of about $11,000 to replace computer equipment. Armstrong also said two of three open-meeting-law bills were still pending and that the Commission may provide an update after veto deadlines pass; he noted the governor has 10 days after the session adjourns to act on bills, excluding Sundays.

Armstrong announced agency staffing updates: Wendy Pfaff has been hired as senior legal researcher and will start Monday; the governor appointed John T. Moran III to the Commission to fill the seat vacated by Commissioner Sheets; Armstrong said the appointment is expected to take effect in the fall. He also said if the legislature approves a public information officer position, that hire would likely start Oct. 1.

Commissioners discussed grant reimbursement mechanics and potential federal clawbacks of unobligated funds; Armstrong said obligated funds are likely "locked in" but that unspent funds at grant close could be subject to federal action and additional state reporting requirements.

Commissioners thanked staff for managing increased workloads since recent departures and moved to approve the executive director's agency status report.