House Bill No. 6931 seeks to amend the State Code of Ethics to clarify and expand the definitions surrounding conflicts of interest for public officials and state employees, particularly concerning their nonstate employers. The bill introduces new legal language that defines a "business with which the public official or state employee is associated" and specifies that a substantial conflict arises when there is a reasonable belief that their nonstate employer or their spouse's employer may experience financial gain or loss due to the official's actions. For elected officials, a substantial conflict is only recognized if they possess actual knowledge of the financial implications. The bill also mandates that elected officials with a substantial conflict must either recuse themselves from the matter or submit a written statement detailing the conflict to the Office of State Ethics.

Additionally, the bill updates existing language to ensure gender-neutral and inclusive references to public officials and employees. It replaces outdated terms and clarifies the procedures for addressing conflicts of interest, including the requirement for written disclosures. The amendments are set to take effect on October 1, 2025, and are expected to have a minimal fiscal impact, with potential revenue from fines for false statements, although significant additional charges are not anticipated. Overall, the bill aims to enhance transparency and accountability among public officials regarding conflicts of interest while preserving existing provisions for recusal or disclosure.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 1-85, 1-86
GOS Joint Favorable: 1-85, 1-86
File No. 85: 1-85, 1-86