State ethics laws prohibit public employees and public officials from using their official position or office for personal gain. This prohibition can discourage or stymie the ability of public institutions of higher education to conduct research, obtain grants, collaborate with others, and develop intellectual property. This bill would provide that the ethics laws shall not be deemed to limit the ability of public institutions of higher education to accept and award grants, conduct research, collaborate, enter into technology transfer agreements, and develop and share intellectual property by agreement in accordance with institution policy.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 36-25-1