Pursuant to Committee Rules 7(g), the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct (Standards Committee) determined to release the following statement:
The Standards Committee has unanimously voted to release a public Report finding that Representative Pete Stark did not violate any provision of the Code of Official Conduct or any law, rule, regulation, or other standard of conduct applicable to his conduct in the performance of his duties or the discharge of his responsibilities relating to a state law requirement that all Maryland homeowners submit a one-time application to verify eligibility for a property tax credit called the Homestead Tax Credit. The Committee finds that no further action in this matter is warranted. The matter is dismissed and the Committee considers it closed.
In accordance with clauses 3(a)(2) and 3(b) of House Rule XI, and Standards Committee Rule 10(a)(7), the Standards Committee unanimously agreed to issue the attached Report to the House. The Report follows the receipt of materials forwarded to the Standards Committee by the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) and addresses the findings and conclusions of the Standards Committee with regard to the conduct of Representative Stark. OCE’s Report and Findings and Representative Stark’s Response are contained within the Standards Committee’s Report.