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2017 Tennessee Code
Title 3 - Legislature
Chapter 6 - Ethics and Lobbying
Part 2 - Tennessee Ethics Commission Act of 2006 -- Violations
§ 3-6-209. Complaints against commission -- Special joint committee -- Probable cause -- Recommendation on penalty -- Sanctions for unsubstantiated complaints -- Immunity.
Universal Citation: TN Code § 3-6-209 (2017)
- (a) An individual who is within the jurisdiction of the commission may file a sworn complaint against any member or employee of the commission alleging a violation of this chapter, including allegations of arbitrary and capricious actions of the commission against the individual. The complaint shall state with specificity such allegation. Such complaint shall be filed with the speaker of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives. Each speaker shall, after determining that there are sufficient grounds for review, appoint four (4) members of their respective bodies to a special joint committee, which shall investigate the complaint. Two (2) members of the majority party and two (2) members of the minority party shall be appointed to the committee by each speaker. The special joint committee shall appoint a chair and other officers deemed necessary. An affirmative vote of five (5) members of the committee shall be required for any committee action.
- (b) If the special joint committee finds insufficient evidence to establish probable cause to believe a violation has occurred, it shall dismiss the complaint.
- (c) If, upon completion of its preliminary investigation, the committee finds sufficient evidence to establish probable cause to believe a violation has occurred, the chair of the committee shall transmit the findings to the governor, who shall convene a meeting of the governor, the speaker of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives to take such final action on the complaint as they shall deem appropriate consistent with penalties imposed pursuant to this chapter, including referring the matter to the office of the attorney general and reporter or removing the member of the commission from office and declaring the office vacant.
- (d) Upon request of a majority of the governor, the speaker of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives, the special joint committee shall submit a recommendation as to what penalty, if any, should be imposed.
- (e) If a person:
- (1) Files a complaint against a member of the commission pursuant to this section that results in an investigation, knowing that the material statements in the complaint or the information provided was not true;
- (2) Files an unsubstantiated complaint in reckless disregard of the truth or falsity of the statements contained in the complaint; or
- (3) Files one (1) or more unsubstantiated complaints that constitute abuse of process,
then the complainant is subject to the civil penalties authorized by § 3-6-205(a)(2) and may be liable for any reasonable costs and reasonable attorney fees the alleged violator has incurred. The sanctions authorized by this subsection (e) are not exclusive and do not preclude any other remedies or rights of action the member may have against the complainant or informant under the law; provided, that any person who in good faith files a verified complaint or any person, official, or agency who gives credible information that results in an investigation is immune from any civil liability that otherwise might result by reason of such actions.
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