The proposed legislation, General Assembly Raised Bill No. 6931, aims to amend the state code of ethics regarding conflicts of interest for public officials and state employees, particularly in relation to their nonstate employers. The bill introduces new definitions and clarifications regarding what constitutes a "business with which the public official or state employee is associated." It specifies that a substantial conflict arises when a public official or state employee has reason to believe that their nonstate employer, or the nonstate employer of their spouse, will gain or lose financially due to their official actions. Additionally, it establishes that elected state officials must have actual knowledge of such conflicts to be deemed substantial.

The bill also modifies existing language to ensure clarity and inclusivity, replacing gender-specific terms with gender-neutral language. It mandates that if an elected state official has a substantial conflict, they must either recuse themselves or prepare a written statement detailing the conflict and justifying their participation in the matter. Furthermore, it requires that any potential conflicts of interest be documented and submitted to the Office of State Ethics, ensuring transparency and accountability in the decision-making process. The amendments will take effect on October 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 1-85, 1-86