ETHICS MATTERS GIVES RANSOM AMENDMENTS TO ETHICS CODE @ 09 Jul 2006

In response to a request from Commissioner Ransom, Ethics Matters and its counsel have proposed amendments to the QAC Ethics Code. These revisions would result in a Code that:
1) meets minimum State standards;
2)creates an independent Ethics Commission that is not inappropriately subject to the will of the County Commissioners and
3) enables the Ethics Commission to perform its statutory duty of “hearing and deciding” complaints effectively.

To see the precedents in other counties and to understand how the current code falls short of State standards, go to Commentary on this website for the proposed amendments and comments.

The following is a summary of the proposed amendments:

Applicability
Ensures that Boards and Commissions are properly covered by ethics rules according to State law.
Definitions
Corrects overly narrow definitions of “executive action” and “family member.”
Ethics Commission
Removes broad and unnecessary disqualifications for membership on the Ethics Commission
Restricts power of County Commissioners to dismiss the Ethics Commissioners without good cause and proper proceedings.

Ethics Commission Hearings
Provides Commission and respondent(s) with ability to obtain evidence necessary to resolve complaints
Makes burden of proof necessary to find an ethics violation appropriate to a civil offence and in keeping with other counties.

Conflicts of Interest

Restores restrictions (removed from current law) on County officials’ ownership and employment connections with companies doing business with their County agency
Recognizes that officials’ contractual relationships (e.g. consulting, attorney-client) with private parties can give rise to conflicts of interest.
Restores restriction on gifts from lobbyists.
Empowers Ethics Commission to exempt specific gifts or classes of gifts on a written finding they are not detrimental to impartial conduct of County business

Exemptions

Corrects over-broad power to exempt part-time County officials and others from all the ethics rules.