State House leaders, in rare bipartisan cooperation, agreed yesterday to create an ethics committee to investigate complaints against lawmakers.

The six-member committee would be evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans, and would hear sworn complaints filed by lawmakers. The process would be confidential, and in an effort to avoid political manipulation, the committee would not hear complaints during election years between the summer filing deadline for political office and the November elections.

The committee would have subpoena power, and two-thirds votes would be required to reach conclusions about misconduct. Lawmakers would have the right to appeal the findings and any punishment to the full House.

"I think we're always looking at ways to improve ourselves and how to make sure that we operate under the highest standards," said House Majority Leader Kirk Caldwell, D-24th (Manoa).

House leaders also agreed yesterday to define conflicts of interest as legislation that directly affects the personal, family or financial interests of lawmakers — or that of a relative — unless the lawmaker is part of a class of people affected.

House leaders also said they would ban honoraria, such as speaking fees, related to lawmakers' legislative roles, duties or responsibilities.

The House is to vote on the internal changes on Thursday.

House leaders also agreed to tighten 48-hour hearing notice requirements for all but the House Finance Committee, so that notices will be filed no later than 4:30 p.m. on the last day of the workweek. Committee leaders will also have to fill out forms explaining their reasons for waiving the notice requirement before they seek waivers from the House speaker during floor sessions.

House leaders had proposed an ethics reform package at the start of last session, but it struggled. A task force then worked during the interim toward the changes announced yesterday.

"It's a great, huge leap forward," said House Minority Leader Lynn Finnegan, D-32nd (Lower Pearlridge, 'Aiea, Hala-wa), whose caucus had wanted a bipartisan committee.

State Senate President Colleen Hanabusa, D-21st (Nanakuli, Makaha), said Senate Democrats would discuss creating a similar ethics committee. Senate leaders had considered an ethics committee three years ago, but it did not advance.

Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com.