The State Ethics Commission administers and enforces the Commonwealth's financial disclosure and conflict-of-interest laws. The financial disclosure law requires that every candidate for state or county office, every elected state or county official, and certain designated state and county officials, who hold major policy-making positions, file an annual statement of financial interests. These statements are designed to identify any interest or association that may create a potential for conflict with an individual's official responsibilities.

The Commission renders written advisory opinions upon request for any of these officials regarding their duties under conflict-of-interest law. It also explains the conflict-of-interest and financial disclosure laws to those covered by them. The Commission prepares and distributes publications, sponsors conferences and seminars, publishes public versions of its opinions and major enforcement documents, and works in close cooperation with other agencies at all levels of government.

The State Ethics Commission will sponsor a symposium in Fiscal Year 1999 to commemorate its twentieth anniversary as a commission. The symposium will feature national and local political leaders who will address issues affecting ethics law in government.

Budget Recommendations

The Fiscal Year 1999 recommendation is $1.4 million. This recommendation includes funding for the Twentieth Year Symposium, and for an additional legal counsel to respond to the increasing number of requests for ethics law opinions.

Budgetary Direct Appropriations

STATE ETHICS COMMISSION
0900-0100	For the operation of the state ethics commission	1,403,093
	General Fund 50.00% Local Aid Fund 50.00%