PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - The state Senate has approved creating a government watchdog board that would be able to investigate statewide officeholders and executive branch employees.
Members voted 29-6 Tuesday to advance the bill. The House will have to debate whether to accept changes made in the Senate.
The State Government Accountability Board would review and investigate allegations including bribery and theft of public funds.
Republican Sen. Brock Greenfield, the proposal’s main Senate sponsor, says it’s a “good government” bill.
Under the measure, if the board believes a crime has been committed, the matter would be referred to the Division of Criminal Investigation. In other cases, the panel would have options including issuing reprimands or making recommendations to the governor.
Lawmakers recently repealed a voter-imposed government ethics overhaul that included an ethics commission.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.