Rep. Marquez Files Bill Regarding EP County Ethics Board

AUSTIN, Texas — State Rep. Marisa Marquez (D-El Paso) filed a bill in the Texas state legislature Wednesday that would allow El Paso County to establish a powerful independent ethics board governing county officials.

Under the bill, the proposed board would adopt, publish and enforce an ethics code, and the board would have subpoena power and the authority to assess civil penalties.

The commissioners court would create the board either through a majority vote of by calling a county-wide election, according to officials with Marquez’s office.

If the board is established, it would have nine members. The county judge and four commissioners would each appoint one person to the commission and the remaining four slots would be filled by an open-to-the-public application process.

El Paso County is the first county in Texas to request such a measure in the legislature. After a vigorous debate among county commissioners at their regular meeting on Monday, commissioners allowed the request to move forward.