By AP
Oklahoma City, OK – Okla. House pushes forward with ethics panel
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) After a tumultuous legislative session last year in which three members were publicly reprimanded including one who faces criminal charges a newly created House Ethics Committee is beginning its work.
The legislative panel met Wednesday and approved a proposed code of conduct for House members and began developing its rules and procedures.
The bipartisan panel was recommended by a House Special Investigative Committee that House Speaker Kris Steele formed to investigate state Rep. Randy Terrill. Terill faces a bribery charge in Oklahoma County. He has denied wrongdoing and the special committee recommended no action against him.
Committee Chairman Representative Gary Banz a Republican from Midwest City says part of its purpose is to have policies in place when the behavior of members is "called into question."