Rep. Phil Hart doesn't have to respond to the Ethics Committee, Chairman Tom Loertscher noted. "We may not receive a response - he doesn't have to respond if he chooses not to." Loertscher cautioned committee members about talking with Hart. "Just so that you know, I have not been approached by Rep. Hart at all on this matter," Loertscher said. "I would caution the committee not to have those conversations and be careful." Loertscher said he ran into Hart in Idaho Falls during the state GOP convention, and "he avoided me like the plague - we said 'hello' and that's it." Said Loertscher, "It was very appropriate."

The committee has set its next meeting for Thursday July 29th at 9 a.m.

---

---