January 25, 2017 State Ethics Commission Meeting Minutes- Public Session

PUBLIC SESSION

MEETING CONVENED

Chairman Barbara Dortch-Okara called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.  Also in attendance were Vice-Chairman Regina L. Quinlan, Commissioner Thomas J. Sartory, and Commissioner Maria J. Krokidas.  Commissioner David A. Mills arrived at 10:15 a.m.

DISCUSSION

Acting Executive Director David A. Wilson and Senior Assistant General Counsel Pauline Nguyen presented a list of potential changes to G.L. c. 268A and 268B. 

Commissioner Krokidas stated that this list represented potential changes to the law which the Legal Committee had discussed and agreed upon.  Commissioner Krokidas recommended that the Commission review the list and then decide whether to authorize Mr. Wilson to present it to the Task Force on Integrity in State and Local Government (“Task Force”), in the event he is provided with an opportunity to do so. 

The Commission discussed potential revisions to G.L. c. 268A, §§ 4, 11, 17, 7, 14, 20, and 1(m),(n) and (o).  Mr. Wilson stated that the Commission staff is not agreement regarding the proposed revisions to these sections of G.L. c. 268A.  Mr. Wilson also noted that many of the prohibitions in these sections of the law could be clarified through regulations if the Commission is granted full regulatory authority. 

Commissioner Sartory questioned whether it would be prudent for the Commission to wait to respond to inquiries from the Task Force, rather than to recommend revisions to the law to Task Force.  The Commission agreed to wait until it understands the issues the Task Force is seeking to address before offering a list of potential revisions to the law, which are not agreed upon by the Commission. 

Mr. Wilson stated that he will attend the next Task Force meeting on February 1, 2017 and he will inquire as to the degree of input, if any, they would like from the Commission.  

ADJOURN MEETING

At 11:39 a.m., on the motion of Commissioner Krokidas, seconded by Vice-Chairman Quinlan the Commission voted 5-0 to adjourn.

VOTE:  Chairman Dortch-Okara        yes      
              Vice-Chairman Quinlan          yes      
              Commissioner Mills                yes      
              Commissioner Sartory            yes      
              Commissioner Krokidas         yes      

DOCUMENTS USED AT THIS MEETING

1. Proposal drafted by Commission staff regarding proposed amendments to Section 4.
2. Proposal drafted by Commission staff regarding proposed amendments to Section 7.
3. Proposal drafted by Commission staff regarding proposed amendments to Section 1(m), (n) and (o).

Respectfully submitted,

Norah K. Mallam
Staff Attorney