(Measure passed House, amended, roll call #439 (347-37)) Ethics in Government Act Amendments of 1982 - Amends the special prosecutor provisions of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978. Changes the name of the special prosecutor to "independent counsel." Amends the coverage of officials who may be subject to the special prosecutor provisions. Limits coverage of persons in the Executive Office of the President to Level II or above (currently, Level IV or above). Defines which national campaign officers are subject to the Act. Includes the chairman and treasurer of the national campaign committee and officers exercising authority at the national level. Makes executive officials subject to the Act during the incumbency of the President under whom they serve, plus one year, but in no event longer than two years (currently, such officials remain subject to the Act under a successive President of the same political party.) Revises the current standards for determining whether a preliminary investigation is required and for appointing a special prosecutor. Requires the Attorney General to conduct a preliminary investigation upon receiving information "sufficient to constitute grounds to investigate." Requires consideration of the credibility of the source of the information. (Currently, a preliminary investigation is triggered by receipt of "specific information" without consideration of the source's credibility.) Provides a procedure for the Attorney General to investigate a person under this Act not specifically covered. Requires appointment of a special prosecutor if there are "reasonable grounds to believe" that further prosecution is warranted. (Currently, a prosecutor must be appointed unless the matter is "so unsubstantiated" that no further prosecution is warranted.) Requires the Attorney General to comply with written or other established policies of the Department of Justice in determining whether appointment of a special prosecutor is warranted. Permits a court to award attorney's fees to subjects of a special prosecutor investigation if no indictment results and the expenses would not otherwise have been incurred. Changes the standard for removal of a special prosecutor from "extraordinary impropriety" to "good cause." Extends the expiration of the special prosecutor provisions from October 26, 1983, to five years after enactment of these amendments.
S 2059 - 97Ethics in Government Act Amendments of 1982
Became Public Law No: 97-409.
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Summary
Sponsors
Timeline
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Became Public Law No: 97-409.
Became Public Law No: 97-409.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Measure Signed in Senate.
Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed to the House amendments by Voice Vote.
Senate agreed to the House amendments by Voice Vote.
House Committee on The Judiciary Discharged by Suspension of Rules.
House Committee on The Judiciary Discharged by Suspension of Rules.
Called up by House Under Suspension of Rules.
Passed/agreed to in House: Passed House (Amended) by Yea-Nay Vote: 347 - 37 (Record Vote No: 439).
Passed House (Amended) by Yea-Nay Vote: 347 - 37 (Record Vote No: 439).
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended).
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Referred to Subcommittee on Administrative Law and Governmental Relations.
Referred to House Committee on The Judiciary.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Voice Vote.
Passed Senate with amendments by Voice Vote.
Committee on Governmental Affairs. Reported to Senate by Senator Cohen with amendments. With written report No. 97-496.
Committee on Governmental Affairs. Reported to Senate by Senator Cohen with amendments. With written report No. 97-496.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Regular Orders. Calendar No. 707.
Committee on Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.
Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management. Hearings held.
Referred to Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management.
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.