The Utah Senate is considering a change to legislative rules that would establish an ethics commission in conjunction with a proposed constitutional amendment.

Sen. John Valentine, R-Orem, introduced SJR3 on Tuesday, reflecting lawmakers' yearlong debate about how to satisfy a growing public sentiment for a group outside of the Legislature to review complaints against lawmakers.

His bill would establish the commission even if voters didn't approve an amendment to the Constitution.

The bill would create a five-member commission including three former judges and two former legislators at least four years removed from office.

Approval by four of the five members would be required to submit a complaint to the Legislature for action.

Complaints could be brought by Utah residents, but only if at least one of them had first-hand knowledge of an offense.

Anyone who publicly revealed an ethics complaint before the commission determined probable cause for public hearings would be in contempt of the Legislature, and the complaint would be dismissed.

Senate Majority Leader Scott Jenkins said the measure remains uncomfortable for some lawmakers, though leaders agree it's important to flesh out the structure of what voters would get if they enact a constitutional amendment.

"We're not all happy about this, but we're doing our best to implement these changes," Jenkins said.

After a closed caucus last week, Republican House leaders unveiled a similar proposal that drew unanimous support of its GOP members. That resolution is still being drafted.