Alabama House passes legislation requiring Alabama Ethics Commission …

On Wednesday, the Alabama House of Representatives voted to pass Senate legislation requiring that the Alabama Ethics Commission share evidence uncovered that would exonerate persons accused of wrongdoing.

Senate Bill 103 is sponsored by State Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur). It is carried in the House by State Representative Cynthia Almond (R-Tuscaloosa).

Rep. Almond explained, “What the bill does is require the ethics commission to turn over exculpatory information once the matter has gone through the investigative phase.”

Almond asked that the House adopt a substitute version of the bill.

The substitute adds the following passage, “If the commission or its employees disclose information to the respondent that the commission or employees believe is exculpatory, neither the commission nor its employees are liable for violating the restrictions relating to secrecy and nondisclosure of information provided in…