Farry To Lead House Ethics Committee

In Harrisburg over the next two years, Republican State Rep. Frank Farry will serve as the majority chairman of the House Ethics Committee.

The Langhorne lawmaker’s role will be be oversing the important House Ethics Committee in his first outing as a committee chairman in his 11 years in office.

Below is the House rules outline of the committee:

The function of the Ethics Committee is to conduct investigations, hearings and meetings relating to a specific issue, member, officer, or employee of the House. The committee will investigate individuals on matters of conflicts of interests and misconduct in legislative duties. When a complaint has been made, the person with whom the complaint has been made will be informed, and the committee will conduct a preliminary investigation to determine whether or not a rule or law has been broken. After reviewing the evidence, the committee will determine if there is enough evidence to proceed with a formal investigation or to dismiss the complaint. In the event that the committee decides to proceed with a formal investigation, the accused will be informed, and independent counsel will be given. After the formal investigation, the committee may recommend punishment to the House if the committee determines that a violation has occurred.

The committee, according to amended rules passed on New Year’s Day, will also be tasked with investigating sexual harassment allegations against lawmakers, officers, employees, and lobbyists. Before the change, each political caucus investigated their own complaints.

The committee will handle biannual sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace training for members and put out advisory opinions on ethics or decorum.

“Although we aren’t vetting legislation, this committee is a very important one, and I take this appointment very seriously,” said Farry. “In light of the gravity of the subject matter it considers, and the multitude of negative allegations facing government these days, I remain committed to restoring trust in government and upholding the highest standards of ethics, which this institution and the people of Pennsylvania deserve.”

Farry, an attorney and fire chief, will also helm the committee that is additionally tasked with “considering expulsion resolutions at the time when a member is convicted or pleads guilty to a crime of embezzlement of public moneys, bribery, or perjury relating to his office and is considered no longer eligible to serve in the General Assembly,” the press release stated. Before this year, the expulsions took place after a lawmaker was sentenced.

The House Ethics Committee is one of three in the state legislature that has subpoena power. The other two committees are the House Appropriations Committee and the newly created Government Oversight Committee.