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Idaho Ethics In Government Manual - PDF
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Annabella Kennedy
1 Office of the Attorney General Idaho Ethics In Government Manual AUGUST 2008 LAWRENCE WASDEN Attorney General 700 West State Street Boise, ID 2 State of Idaho Office of Attorney General Lawrence Wasden INTRODUCTION Honest and open government is fundamental to a free society. The Idaho Legislature has formalized our state s commitment to honest and ethical government by enacting several statutes governing the ethical behavior of public officers. These laws are intended to ensure that public officials remain public servants. Idaho has three primary statutes governing ethics in government: the Bribery and Corrupt Influence Act; the Prohibition Against Contracts with Officers Act; and the Ethics in Government Act. In addition, statutes that govern a particular state agency, state subdivision or municipal corporation often contain provisions regulating the ethical behavior of public officials. Any complete analysis of an ethical question involving a public official must include the three acts named above as well as statutes dealing specifically with the governmental agency, office or subdivision involved. Specific statutes relating to the particular agency or subdivision will control over the more general statutes. When two or more general statutes apply to the same subject, an attempt should be made to reconcile the statutes. All of us who accept public office, whether elected or appointed, also accept an ethical duty to serve honestly and in the public s interest. While the state and the people must demand compliance with Idaho s ethics laws, public officials should understand that these laws set a minimum standard of behavior. Crossing these lines can result in fines and incarceration. Responsible and ethical public officials hold themselves to an even higher standard than mere compliance.3 My Intergovernmental and Fiscal Law Division has prepared this legal manual for your information. I hope it assists you when presented with applicable situations. Sincerely, LAWRENCE G. WASDEN Attorney General4 TABLE OF CONTENTS RELEVANT STATUTES... 1 BRIBERY AND CORRUPT INFLUENCE ACT... 1 PROHIBITIONS AGAINST CONTRACTS WITH OFFICERS ETHICS IN GOVERNMENT ACT MISCELLANEOUS STATUTES QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS STATUTORY INTERPRETATION PURPOSE OF ANALYSIS OF ETHICS STATUTES PUBLIC EMPLOYEES OR OFFICIALS COVERED BY ETHICS STATUTES NEPOTISM CONFLICTS OF INTEREST/PROHIBITED CONTRACTS BRIBERY/CORRUPT INFLUENCE & GIFTS TO PUBLIC OFFICIALS INCOMPATIBILITY OF OFFICE CONSANGUINITY CHART INDEX OF ADDITIONAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST STATUTES... 365 RELEVANT STATUTES Bribery and Corrupt Influence Act Bribery and corrupt practices Definitions. Unless a different meaning plainly is required in this chapter: (1) "Benefit" means gain or advantage, or anything regarded by the beneficiary as gain or advantage, including benefit to any other person or entity in whose welfare he is interested, but not an advantage promised generally to a group or class of voters as a consequence of public measures which a candidate engages to support or oppose. (2) "Confidential information" means knowledge gained through a public office, official duty or employment by a governmental entity which is not subject to disclosure to the general public and which, if utilized in financial transactions would provide the user with an advantage over those not having such information or result in harm to the governmental entity from which it was obtained. (3) "Government" includes any branch, subdivision or agency of the government of the state or any locality within it and other political subdivisions including, but not limited to, highway districts, planning and zoning commissions and cemetery districts, and all other governmental districts, commissions or governmental bodies not specifically mentioned in this chapter. (4) "Harm" means loss, disadvantage or injury, including loss, disadvantage or injury to any other person or entity in whose welfare he is interested. (5) "Official proceeding" means a proceeding heard or which may be heard before any legislative, judicial, administrative or other governmental agency or official authorized to take evidence under oath, including any referee, hearing examiner, commissioner, notary or other person taking testimony or deposition in connection with any such proceeding. (6) "Party official" means a person who holds an elective or appointive post in a political party in the United States by virtue of which he directs or conducts, or participates in directing or conducting party affairs at any level of responsibility. 16 (7) "Pecuniary benefit" is any benefit to a public official or member of his household in the form of money, property or commercial interests, the primary significance of which is economic gain. (8) "Public servant" means any officer or employee of government, including legislators and judges, and any person participating as juror, advisor, consultant or otherwise, in performing a governmental function; but the term does not include witnesses. (9) "Administrative proceeding" means any proceeding, other than a judicial proceeding, the outcome of which is required to be based on a record or documentation prescribed by law, or in which law or regulation is particularized in application to individuals Bribery in official and political matters. A person is guilty of bribery, a felony, if he offers, confers or agrees to confer upon another, or solicits, accepts or agrees to accept from another: (1) Any pecuniary benefit as consideration for the recipient s decision, opinion, recommendation, vote or other exercise of discretion as a public servant, party official or voter; or (2) Any benefit as consideration for the recipient s decision, vote, recommendation or other exercise of official discretion in a judicial or administrative proceeding; or (3) Any benefit as consideration for a violation of a known legal duty as public servant or party official. It is no defense to prosecution under this section that a person whom the actor sought to influence was not qualified to act in the desired way whether because he had not yet assumed office, or lacked jurisdiction, or for any other reason Threats and other improper influence in official and political matters. (1) Offenses defined. A person commits an offense if he: (a) threatens unlawful harm to any person with purpose to influence his decision, opinion, recommendation, vote or other exercise of discretion as a public servant, party official or voter; or 27 (b) threatens harm to any public servant with purpose to influence his decision, opinion, recommendation, vote or other exercise of discretion in a judicial or administrative proceeding; or (c) threatens harm to any public servant or party official with purpose to influence him to violate his known legal duty; or (d) privately addresses to any public servant who has or will have an official discretion in a judicial or administrative proceeding any representation, entreaty, argument or other communication with purpose to influence the outcome on the basis of considerations other than those authorized by law. It is no defense to prosecution under this section that a person whom the actor sought to influence was not qualified to act in the desired way, whether because he had not yet assumed office, or lacked jurisdiction, or for any other reason. (2) Grading. An offense under this section is a misdemeanor unless the actor threatened to commit a crime or made a threat with purpose to influence a judicial or administrative proceeding, in which cases the offense is a felony A. Threats against state officials of the executive, legislative or judicial branch. Whoever knowingly and willfully deposits for conveyance in the mail or for a delivery from any post office or by any letter carrier, any letter, paper, writing, print, missive, or document containing any threat to take the life of or to inflict bodily harm upon any state elected official of the executive or legislative branch, or any justice, judge or magistrate of the judicial branch, or person appointed to fill the vacancy of a state elected official of the executive or legislative branch of the state of Idaho, or knowingly and willfully otherwise makes any such threat against a state elected official of the executive or legislative branch, or any justice, judge or magistrate of the judicial branch, or person appointed to fill the vacancy of a state elected official of the executive or legislative branch of the state of Idaho is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be fined not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) and shall be sentenced to not to exceed one (1) year in the county jail. If such threat is made while the defendant exhibits a firearm or other dangerous or deadly weapon, the defendant shall be guilty of a felony. Upon a second or subsequent conviction of an offense under this section, the defendant 38 shall be guilty of a felony and shall be sentenced to a term of not to exceed five (5) years in the state penitentiary Compensation for past official behavior. A person commits a misdemeanor if he solicits, accepts, or agrees to accept any pecuniary benefit as compensation for having as public servant, given a decision, opinion, recommendation or vote favorable to another, or for having otherwise exercised a discretion in his favor, or for having violated his duty. A person commits a misdemeanor if he offers, confers or agrees to confer, compensation, acceptance of which is prohibited by this section Retaliation for past official action. A person commits a misdemeanor if he harms another by any unlawful acts in retaliation for anything lawfully done by the latter in the capacity of public servant Gifts to public servants by persons subject to their jurisdiction. (1) Regulatory and law enforcement officials. No public servant in any department or agency exercising regulatory functions, or conducting inspections or investigations, or carrying on civil or criminal litigation on behalf of the government, or having custody of prisoners, shall solicit, accept or agree to accept any pecuniary benefit from a person known to be subject to such regulation, inspection, investigation or custody, or against whom such litigation is known to be pending or contemplated. (2) Officials concerned with government contracts and pecuniary transactions. No public servant having any discretionary function to perform in connection with contracts, purchases, payments, claims or other pecuniary transactions of the government shall solicit, accept or agree to accept any pecuniary benefit from any person known to be interested in or likely to become interested in any such contract, purchase, payment, claim or transaction. (3) Judicial and administrative officials. No public servant having judicial or administrative authority and no public servant employed by or in a court or other tribunal having such authority, or participating in the enforcement of its decisions, shall solicit, accept or agree to accept any pecuniary benefit from a person known to be 49 interested in or likely to become interested in any matter before such public servant or a tribunal with which he is associated. (4) Legislative and executive officials. No legislator or public servant shall solicit, accept or agree to accept any pecuniary benefit in return for action on a bill, legislation, proceeding or official transaction from any person known to be interested in a bill, legislation, official transaction or proceeding. (5) Exceptions. This section shall not apply to: (a) fees prescribed by law to be received by a public servant, or any other benefit for which the recipient gives legitimate consideration or to which he is otherwise legally entitled; or (b) gifts or other benefits conferred on account of kinship or other personal, professional or business relationship independent of the official status of the receiver; or (c) trivial benefits not to exceed a value of fifty dollars ($50.00) incidental to personal, professional or business contacts and involving no substantial risk of undermining official impartiality; or (d) benefits received as a result of lobbying activities that are disclosed in reports required by chapter 66, title 67, Idaho Code. This exception shall not apply to any activities prohibited by subsections (1) through (4) of this section. (6) Offering benefits prohibited. No person shall knowingly confer, or offer or agree to confer, any benefit prohibited by the foregoing subsections. (7) Grade of offense. An offense under this section is a misdemeanor and shall be punished as provided in this chapter Compensating public servant for assisting private interests in relation to matters before him (1) Receiving compensation. A public servant commits a misdemeanor if he solicits, accepts or agrees to accept compensation for advice or other assistance in preparing or promoting a bill, contract, claim, or other transaction or proposal as to which he knows that he has or is likely to have an official discretion to exercise. 510 (2) Paying compensation. A person commits a misdemeanor if he pays or offers or agrees to pay compensation to a public servant with knowledge that acceptance by the public servant is unlawful Selling political endorsement Special influence. (1) Selling political endorsement. A person commits a misdemeanor if he solicits, receives, agrees to receive, or agrees that any political party or other person shall receive any pecuniary benefit as consideration for approval or disapproval of an appointment or advancement in public service, or for approval or disapproval of any person or transaction for any benefit conferred by an official or agency of the government. "Approval" includes recommendations, failure to disapprove, or any other manifestation of favor or acquiescence. "Disapproval" includes failure to approve, or any other manifestation of disfavor or non-acquiescence (2) Other trading in special influence. A person commits a misdemeanor if he solicits, receives or agrees to receive any pecuniary benefit as consideration for exerting special influence upon a public servant or procuring another to do so. "Special influence" means power to influence through kinship, friendship, or other relationship apart from the merits of the transaction. (3) Paying for endorsement or special influence. A person commits a misdemeanor if he offers, confers or agrees to confer any pecuniary benefit, receipt of which is prohibited by this section Using public position for personal gain. (1) No public servant shall: (a) Without the specific authorization of the governmental entity for which he serves, use public funds or property to obtain a pecuniary benefit for himself. (b) Solicit, accept or receive a pecuniary benefit as payment for services, advice, assistance or conduct customarily exercised in the course of his official duties. This prohibition shall not include trivial benefits not to exceed a value of fifty dollars ($50.00) incidental to personal, professional or business contacts and involving no substantial risk of undermining official impartiality. 611 (c) Use or disclose confidential information gained in the course of or by reason of his official position or activities in any manner with the intent to obtain a pecuniary benefit for himself or any other person or entity in whose welfare he is interested or with the intent to harm the governmental entity for which he serves. (d) Be interested in any contract made by him in his official capacity, or by any body or board of which he is a member, except as provided in section , Idaho Code. (e) Appoint or vote for the appointment of any person related to him by blood or marriage within the second degree, to any clerkship, office, position, employment or duty, when the salary, wages, pay or compensation of such appointee is to be paid out of public funds or fees of office, or appoint or furnish employment to any person whose salary, wages, pay or compensation is to be paid out of public funds or fees of office, and who is related by either blood or marriage within the second degree to any other public servant when such appointment is made on the agreement or promise of such other public servant or any other public servant to appoint or furnish employment to anyone so related to the public servant making or voting for such appointment. Any public servant who pays out of any public funds under his control or who draws or authorizes the drawing of any warrant or authority for the payment out of any public fund of the salary, wages, pay, or compensation of any such ineligible person, knowing him to be ineligible, is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished as provided in this chapter. (f) Unless specifically authorized by another provision of law, commit any act prohibited of members of the legislature or any officer or employee of any branch of the state government by section , Idaho Code, violations of which are subject to penalties as provided in section , Idaho Code, which prohibition and penalties shall be deemed to extend to all public servants pursuant to the provisions of this section. (2) No person related to any member of the legislature by blood or marriage within the second degree shall be appointed to any clerkship, office, position, employment or duty within the legislative branch of government or otherwise be employed by the legislative branch of government when the salary, wages, pay or compensation of such appointee or employee is to be paid out of public funds. 712 (3) No person related to a mayor or member of a city council by blood or marriage within the second degree shall be appointed to any clerkship, office, position, employment or duty with the mayor's or city council's city when the salary, wages, pay or compensation of such appointee or employee is to be paid out of public funds. (4) No person related to a county commissioner by blood or marriage within the second degree shall be appointed to any clerkship, office, position, employment or duty with the commissioner's county when the salary, wages, pay or compensation of such appointee or employee is to be paid out of public funds. (5) (a) An employee of a governmental entity holding a position prior to the election of a local government official, who is related within the second degree, shall be entitled to retain his or her position and receive general pay increases, step increases, cost of living increases, and/or other across the board increases in salary or merit increases, benefits and bonuses or promotions. (b) Nothing in this section shall be construed as creating any property rights in the position held by an employee subject to this section, and all authority in regard to disciplinary action, transfer, dismissal, demotion or termination shall continue to apply to the employee. (6) The prohibitions contained within this section shall not include conduct defined by the provisions of section (4), Idaho Code. (7) The prohibitions within this section and section , Idaho Code, as it applies to part-time public servants, do not include those actions or conduct involving the public servant's business, profession or occupation and unrelated to the public servant's official conduct, and do not apply to a pecuniary benefit received in the normal course of a legislator's business, profession or occupation and unrelated to any bill, legislation, proceeding or official transaction Penalties. Any public servant who violates the provisions of this chapter, unless otherwise provided, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and may be punished by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by incarceration in the county jail for a period not exceeding one (1) year, or by both such fine and incarceration. In addition to any penalty imposed 813 in this chapter, any person who violates the provisions of this chapter may be required to forfeit his office and may be ordered to make restitution of any benefit received by him to the governmental entity from which it was obtained Self-interested contracts Exception. Where there are less than three (3) suppliers of a good or a service within a fifteen (15) mile radius of where the good or service is to be provided, it shall not constitute a violation of the provisions of subsection (1) (d) or (e) of section , Idaho Code, for a public servant or for his relative to contract with the public body of which the public servant is a member if the contract is reasonably necessary to respond to a disaster as defined in chapter 10, title 46, Idaho Code, or if the procedures listed below are strictly observed. For purposes of this section, "relative" shall mean any person related to the public servant by blood or marriage within the second degree. (1) The contract is competitively bid and the public servant or his relative submits the low bid; and (2) Neither the public servant nor his relative takes any part in the preparation of the contract or bid specifications, and the public servant takes no part in voting on or approving the contract or bid specifications; and (3) The public servant makes full disclosure, in writing, to all members of the governing body, council or board of said public body of his interest or that of his relative and of his or his relative's intention to bid on the contract; and (4) Neither the public servant nor his relative has violated any provision of Idaho law pertaining to competitive bidding or improper solicitation of business A. Non-compensated appointed public servant Relatives of public servant Exception. When a person is a public servant by reason of his appointment to a governmental entity board for which the person receives no salary or fees for his service on said board, it shall not constitute a violation of the provisions of subsection (1)(d) or (e) of section , Idaho Code, for a public servant or for his relative to contract with the public body of which the public servant is a member if the procedures listed below are 914 strictly observed. For purposes of this section, "relative" shall mean any person related to the public servant by blood or marriage within the second degree. (1) The contract is competitively bid and the public servant or his relative submits the low bid; and (2) Neither the public servant nor his relative takes any part in the preparation of the contract or bid specifications, and the public servant takes no part in voting on or approving the contract or bid specifications; and (3) The public servant makes full disclosure, in writing, to all members of the governing body, council or board of said public body of his interest or that of his relative and of his or his relative's intention to bid on the contract; and (4) Neither the public servant nor his relative has violated any provision of Idaho law pertaining to competitive bidding or improper solicitation of business Cause of action. A prosecuting attorney or the attorney general may bring an action in the district court of the county in which a public servant resides to enjoin a violation of the provisions of this chapter and to require the public servant to make restitution to the government of any pecuniary gain obtained. The prevailing party shall be awarded his costs and reasonable attorney fees. Prohibitions Against Contracts with Officers Officers not to be interested in contracts. Members of the legislature, state, county, city, district and precinct officers, must not be interested in any contract made by them in their official capacity, or by any body or board of which they are member A. Remote interests. (1) A public officer shall not be deemed to be interested in a contract, within the meaning of section , Idaho Code, if he has only a remote interest in the contract and if the fact and extent of such 1015 interest is disclosed to the body of which he is an officer and noted in the official minutes or similar records prior to the formation of the contract, and thereafter the governing body authorizes, approves, or ratifies the contract in good faith by a vote of its membership sufficient for the purpose without counting the vote or votes of the officer having the remote interest. As used in this section, "remote interest" means: (a) corporation; or That of a non-salaried officer of a nonprofit (b) That of an employee or agent of a contracting party where the compensation of such employee or agent consists entirely of fixed wages or salary; or or (c) That of a landlord or tenant of a contracting party; (d) That of a holder of less than one percent (1%) of the shares of a corporation or cooperative which is a contracting party. (2) Although a public official's interest in a contract may be only remote, a public official shall not influence or attempt to influence any other officer of the board of which he is an officer to enter into the contract. Violation of the provisions of this subsection shall be a misdemeanor as provided in section , Idaho Code. Any contract created or entered into in violation of the provisions of this subsection shall be void Officers not to be interested in sales. State, county, district, precinct and city officers must not be purchasers at any sale nor vendors at any purchase made by them in their official capacity Prohibited contracts voidable. Every contract made in violation of any of the provisions of the two (2) preceding sections may be avoided at the instance of any party except the officer interested therein. 1116 Dealing in warrants prohibited. The state treasurer and state controller, the several county, city, district or precinct officers of this state, their deputies and clerks, are prohibited from purchasing or selling, or in any manner receiving to their own use or benefit, or to the use or benefit of any person or persons, whatever, any state, county, or city warrants, scrip, orders, demands, claims, or other evidences of indebtedness against the state, or any county or city thereof, except evidences of indebtedness issued to or held by them for services rendered as such officer, deputy or clerk, and evidences of the funded indebtedness of such state, county, city, district or corporation Affidavit of non-violation a prerequisite to allowance of accounts. Every officer whose duty it is to audit and allow the accounts of other state, county, district, city or precinct officers, must, before allowing such accounts, require each of such officers to make and file with him an affidavit that he has not violated any of the provisions of this chapter Provisions of chapter violated Disbursing officer not to pay warrants. Officers charged with the disbursement of public moneys must not pay any warrant or other evidence of indebtedness against the state, county, city or district, when the same has been purchased, sold, received or transferred contrary to any of the provisions of this chapter Suspension of settlement or payment Prosecution of offenders. Every officer charged with the disbursement of public moneys, who is informed by affidavit that any officer whose account is to be settled, audited, or paid by him, has violated any of the provisions of this chapter, must suspend such settlement or payment, and cause such officer to be prosecuted for such violation Violation. A violation of the provisions of this chapter, unless otherwise provided, is a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or incarceration in the county jail for a period not exceeding one (1) year, or by both such fine and incarceration. 1217 Non-compensated public official Exception. When a person is a public official by reason of his appointment or election to a governing board of a governmental entity for which the person receives no salary or fee as compensation for his service on said board, he shall not be prohibited from having an interest in any contract made or entered into by the board of which he is a member, if he strictly observes the procedure set out in section A, Idaho Code Violation relating to public contracts. Officers shall not commit any act prohibited by section , Idaho Code, violations of which are subject to penalties as provided in section , Idaho Code, and which prohibitions and penalties shall be deemed to extend to all public officers governed by the provisions of this chapter. Ethics in Government Act Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Ethics in Government Act of Policy and purpose. It is hereby declared that the position of a public official at all levels of government is a public trust and it is in the public interest to: (1) Protect the integrity of government throughout the state of Idaho while at the same time facilitating recruitment and retention of personnel needed within government; (2) Assure independence, impartiality and honesty of public officials in governmental functions; (3) Inform citizens of the existence of personal interests which may present a conflict of interest between an official's public trust and private concerns; (4) Prevent public office from being used for personal gain contrary to the public interest; 1318 (5) Prevent special interests from unduly influencing governmental action; and (6) Assure that governmental functions and policies reflect, to the maximum extent possible, the public interest Definitions. For purposes of this chapter: (1) "Official action" means any decision on, or proposal, consideration, enactment, defeat, or making of any rule, regulation, ratemaking proceeding or policy action or non-action by a governmental body or any other policy matter which is within the official jurisdiction of the governmental body. (2) "Business" means any undertaking operated for economic gain, including, but not limited to, a corporation, partnership, trust, proprietorship, firm, association or joint venture. (3) "Business with which a public official is associated" means any business of which the public official or member of his household is a director, officer, owner, partner, employee or holder of stock over five thousand dollars ($5,000) or more at fair market value. (4) "Conflict of interest" means any official action or any decision or recommendation by a person acting in a capacity as a public official, the effect of which would be to the private pecuniary benefit of the person or a member of the person's household, or a business with which the person or a member of the person's household is associated, unless the pecuniary benefit arises out of the following: (a) An interest or membership in a particular business, industry, occupation or class required by law as a prerequisite to the holding by the person of the office or position; (b) Any action in the person's official capacity which would affect to the same degree a class consisting of an industry or occupation group in which the person, or a member of the person's household or business with which the person is associated, is a member or is engaged; (c) Any interest which the person has by virtue of his profession, trade or occupation where his interest would be affected to the same degree as that of a substantial group or class of others similarly engaged in the profession, trade or occupation; 1419 (d) Any action by a public official upon any revenue measure, any appropriation measure or any measure imposing a tax, when similarly situated members of the general public are affected by the outcome of the action in a substantially similar manner and degree. (5) "Economic gain" means increase in pecuniary value from sources other than lawful compensation as a public official. (6) "Governmental entity" means: (a) The state of Idaho and all agencies, commissions and other governmental bodies of the state; and (b) Counties and municipalities of the state of Idaho, all other political subdivisions including, but not limited to, highway districts, planning and zoning commissions or governmental bodies not specifically mentioned in this chapter. (7) "Members of a household" mean the spouse and dependent children of the public official and/or persons whom the public official is legally obligated to support. (8) "Person" means an individual, proprietorship, partnership, association, trust, estate, business trust, group or corporation, whether operated for profit or not, and any other legal entity, or agent or servant thereof, or a governmental entity. (9) "Public office" means any position in which the normal and usual duties are conducted on behalf of a governmental entity. (10) "Public official" means any person holding public office in the following capacity: (a) As an elected public official meaning any person holding public office of a governmental entity by virtue of an elected process, including persons appointed to a vacant elected office of a governmental entity, excluding members of the judiciary; or (b) As an elected legislative public official meaning any person holding public office as a legislator; or 1520 (c) As an appointed public official meaning any person holding public office of a governmental entity by virtue of formal appointment as required by law; or (d) As an employed public official meaning any person holding public office of a governmental entity by virtue of employment, or a person employed by a governmental entity on a consultative basis Required action in conflicts. A public official shall not take any official action or make a formal decision or formal recommendation concerning any matter where he has a conflict of interest and has failed to disclose such conflict as provided in this section. Disclosure of a conflict does not affect an elected public official's authority to be counted for purposes of determining a quorum and to debate and to vote on the matter, unless the public official requests to be excused from debate and voting at his or her discretion. In order to determine whether a conflict of interest exists relative to any matter within the scope of the official functions of a public official, a public official may seek legal advice from the attorney representing that governmental entity or from the attorney general or from independent counsel. If the legal advice is that no real or potential conflict of interest exists, the public official may proceed and shall not be subject to the prohibitions of this chapter. If the legal advice is that a real or potential conflict may exist, the public official: (1) If he is an elected legislative public official, he shall disclose the nature of the potential conflict of interest and/or be subject to the rules of the body of which he/she is a member and shall take all action required under such rules prior to acting on the matter. If a member requests to be excused from voting on an issue which involves a conflict or a potential conflict, and the body of which he is a member does not excuse him, such failure to excuse shall exempt that member from any civil or criminal liability related to that particular issue. (2) If he is an elected state public official, he shall prepare a written statement describing the matter required to be acted upon and the nature of the potential conflict, and shall file such statement with the secretary of state prior to acting on the matter. A public official may seek legal advice from the attorney representing that agency or from the attorney general or from independent counsel. The elected public official may then act on the advice of the agency's attorney, the attorney general or independent counsel. 1621 (3) If he is an appointed or employed state public official, he shall prepare a written statement describing the matter to be acted upon and the nature of the potential conflict, and shall deliver the statement to his appointing authority. The appointing authority may obtain an advisory opinion from the attorney general or from the attorney representing that agency. The public official may then act on the advice of the attorney general, the agency's attorney or independent counsel. (4) If he is an elected public official of a county or municipality, he shall disclose the nature of a potential conflict of interest prior to acting on a matter and shall be subject to the rules of the body of which he/she is a member and take all action required by the rules prior to acting on the matter. If a member requests to be excused from voting on an issue, which involves a conflict or a potential conflict, and the body of which he is a member, does not excuse him, such failure to excuse shall exempt that member from any civil or criminal liability related to that particular issue. The public official may obtain an advisory opinion from the attorney general or the attorney for the county or municipality or from independent counsel. The public official may then act on the advice of the attorney general or attorney for the county or municipality or his independent counsel. (5) If he is an appointed or employed public official of a county or municipality, he shall prepare a written statement describing the matter required to be acted upon and the nature of the potential conflict, and shall deliver the statement to his appointing authority. The appointing authority may obtain an advisory opinion from the attorney for the appointing authority, or, if none, the attorney general. The public official may then act on the advice of the attorney general or attorney for the appointing authority or independent counsel. (6) Nothing contained herein shall preclude the executive branch of state government or a political subdivision from establishing an ethics board or commission to perform the duties and responsibilities provided for in this chapter. Any ethics board or commission so established shall have specifically stated powers and duties including the power to: (a) Issue advisory opinions upon the request of a public official within its jurisdiction; (b) Investigate possible unethical conduct of public officials within its jurisdiction and conduct hearings, issue findings, 1722 and make recommendations for disciplinary action to a public official's appointing authority; (c) Accept complaints of unethical conduct from the public and take appropriate action A. Non-compensated public official Exception. When a person is a public official by reason of his appointment or election to a governing board of a governmental entity for which the person receives no salary or fee as compensation for his service on said board, he shall not be prohibited from having an interest in any contract made or entered into by the board of which he is a member, if he strictly observes the procedure set out in section A, Idaho Code Civil penalty. (1) Any public official who intentionally fails to disclose a conflict of interest as provided for in section , Idaho Code, shall be guilty of a civil offense, the penalty for which may be a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500), provided that the provisions of this subsection shall not apply to any public official where the governmental entity on which said official serves has put into operation an ethics commission or board described in section (6), Idaho Code. (2) The penalty prescribed in subsection (1) of this section does not limit the power of either house of the legislature to discipline its own members, nor limit the power of governmental entities, including occupational or professional licensing bodies, to discipline their members or personnel. A violation of the provisions of this chapter shall not preclude prosecution and conviction for any criminal violation that may have been committed. Miscellaneous Statutes Prohibitions. No prosecuting attorney must receive any fee or rewards for or on behalf of any prosecutor or other individual, for services in any prosecution, or business to which it is his official duty to attend or discharge; nor be concerned as attorney or counsel for either party other than for the state, people or county, in any civil action depending upon the same state of facts, upon which any criminal prosecution commenced but not determined depends, and no law partner of any county attorney must be 1823 engaged in the defense of any suit, action or proceeding, in which said prosecuting attorney appears on behalf of the people, state or county Limitation upon authority of trustees. It shall be unlawful for any trustee to have pecuniary interest directly or indirectly in any contract or other transaction pertaining to the maintenance or conduct of the school district, or to accept any reward or compensation for services rendered as a trustee except as may be otherwise provided in this section. The board of trustees of a school district may accept and award contracts involving the school district to businesses in which a trustee or a person related to him by blood or marriage within the second degree has a direct or indirect interest provided that the procedures set forth in section or A, Idaho Code, are followed. The receiving, soliciting or acceptance of moneys of a school district for deposit in any bank or trust company, or the lending of money by any bank or trust company to any school district, shall not be deemed to be a contract pertaining to the maintenance or conduct of a school district within the meaning of this section; nor shall the payment by any school district board of trustees of compensation to any bank or trust company for services rendered in the transaction of any banking business with such district board of trustees, be deemed the payment of any reward or compensation to any officer or director of any such bank or trust company within the meaning of this section. It shall be unlawful for the board of trustees of any class of school district to enter into or execute any contract with the spouse of any member of such board, the terms of which said contract requires, or will require, the payment or delivery of any school district funds, money or property to such spouse, except as provided in section or A, Idaho Code. When any relative of any trustee or relative of the spouse of a trustee related by affinity or consanguinity within the second degree is considered for employment in a school district, such trustee shall abstain from voting in the election of such relative, and shall be absent from the meeting while such employment is being considered and determined Legislators disqualified from holding certain offices. It shall be unlawful for any member of the legislature, during the term for which he was elected, to accept or receive, or for the governor, or other officials or board, to appoint such member of the legislature to, any 1924 office of trust, profit, honor or emolument, created by any law passed by the legislature of which he is a member. Any appointment made in violation of this section shall be null and void and without force and effect, and any attempt to exercise the powers of such office by such appointee shall be a usurpation, and the appointee shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and, on conviction, shall be fined not less than $500 nor more than $ Prohibitions. (1) No contract or order or any interest therein shall be transferred by the contractor or vendor to whom such contract or order is given to any other party, without the approval in writing of the administrator. Transfer of a contract without approval shall cause the annulment of the contract so transferred, at the option of the state. All rights of action, however, for any breach of such contract by the contracting parties are reserved to the state. No member of the legislature or any officer or employee of any branch of the state government shall directly, himself, or by any other person in trust for him or for his use or benefit or on his account, undertake, execute, hold or enjoy, in whole or part, any contract or agreement made or entered into by or on behalf of the state of Idaho, if made by, through, or on behalf of the department in which he is an officer or employee; or if made by, through or on behalf of any other department unless the same is made after competitive bids. (2) Except as provided by section , Idaho Code, no officer or employee shall influence or attempt to influence the award of a contract to a particular vendor, or to deprive or attempt to deprive any vendor of an acquisition contract. (3) No officer or employee shall conspire with a vendor or its agent, and no vendor or its agent shall conspire with an officer or employee, to influence or attempt to influence the award of a contract, or to deprive or attempt to deprive a vendor of an acquisition award. (4) No officer or employee shall fail to utilize an open contract without justifiable cause for such action. No officer or employee shall accept property which he knows does not meet specifications or substantially meet the original performance test results. (5) Deprivation, influence or attempt thereat shall not include written reports, based upon substantial evidence, sent to the administrator of the division of purchasing concerning matters relating to the responsibility of vendors. 2025 (6) No vendor or related party, or subsidiary, or affiliate of a vendor may submit a bid to obtain a contract to provide property to the state, if the vendor or related party, or affiliate or subsidiary was paid for services utilized in preparing the bid specifications or if the services influenced the procurement process. [I.C., , as added by 1975, ch. 254, 2, p. 686; am. 1991, ch. 158, 5, p. 374; am. 1994, ch , p. 243; am. 2001, ch. 36, 7, p. 55.] Conflict of interest prohibited. A governing board creating a planning, zoning, or planning and zoning commission, or joint commission shall provide that the area and interests within its jurisdiction are broadly represented on the commission. A member or employee of a governing board, commission, or joint commission shall not participate in any proceeding or action when the member or employee or his employer, business partner, business associate, or any person related to him by affinity or consanguinity within the second degree has an economic interest in the procedure or action. Any actual or potential interest in any proceeding shall be disclosed at or before any meeting at which the action is being heard or considered. For purposes of this section the term "participation" means engaging in activities which constitute deliberations pursuant to the open meeting act. No member of a governing board or a planning and zoning commission with a conflict of interest shall participate in any aspect of the decision-making process concerning a matter involving the conflict of interest. A member with a conflict of interest shall not be prohibited from testifying at, or presenting evidence to, a public hearing or similar public process after acknowledging nonparticipation in the matter due to a conflict of interest. A knowing violation of this section shall be a misdemeanor. 2126 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS STATUTORY INTERPRETATION Question No. 1: Is there overlap between the various ethical statutes pertaining to public employees and officials, and how should the statutes be analyzed? Answer: Yes. The first step in analyzing which statute applies to a particular situation is to determine whether there is a specific statute dealing with the governmental entity or the public position in question. For example, Idaho Code contains a prohibition against school board trustees contracting with the school district. This statute controls the more general anti-contracting provisions found in chapter 13, title 18, or chapter 2, title 59, Idaho Code. See, Attorney General Opinion No In addition, when dealing with the more general ethics statutes, there may be some overlap. In the case where two or more general statutes apply to the same situation, an attempt should be made to reconcile the statutes. Too often, conflict analysis begins and ends with an analysis of chapter 7 of title 59, the Ethics in Government Act. Chapter 7 covers acts by members of legislative or administrative bodies and does not necessarily prohibit any act, but merely requires disclosure. However, the action creating the conflict may be prohibited by other provisions contained within the Idaho Code. PURPOSE OF ANALYSIS OF ETHICS STATUTES Question No. 2: What is the purpose of the analysis of the ethical statutes with regard to the actions of public officials? Answer: The purpose of the ethical statutes is to establish a ground floor for conduct by public officials. Proper analysis of ethical statutes should not be for loopholes or technicalities by which one can take advantage of government, the public, or other interested parties. If your analysis requires that you find a loophole, within Idaho s ethical statutes, then your conduct is likely unethical. Ethics for public officials is also tricky for another reason. Within public service, there are often two courts: the traditional legal system, and the court of public opinion. A win in one does not guarantee a win in the other. When determining the proper answer to any ethics determination, a public official should be mindful of the impact his decision may have both 2227 legally and publicly. Public officials, by the trusteeship given them by the electorate, are held to a higher ethical standard. PUBLIC EMPLOYEES OR OFFICIALS COVERED BY ETHICS STATUTES Question No. 3: Who is subject to Idaho Code et seq., the Bribery and Corrupt Influence statutes? Answer: Idaho Code , et seq,. regulate the conduct of public servants in the areas of bribery and corrupt practices, including conflicts of interest and nepotism. Unless otherwise stated, these statutes apply to all public servants, which is defined to mean: any officer or employee of government, including legislators and judges, and any person participating as juror, advisor, consultant or otherwise, in performing a governmental function; but the term does not include witnesses. Question No. 4: Who is subject to chapter 7 of title 59, the Ethics in Government Act? Answer: All public officials are subject to the Ethics in Government Act. Public official means any person holding public office in the following capacity: (a) As an elected public official meaning any person holding public office of a governmental entity by virtue of an elected process, including persons appointed to a vacant elected office of a governmental entity, excluding members of the judiciary; or (b) As an elected legislative public official meaning any person holding public office as a legislator; or (c) As an appointed public official meaning any person holding public office of a governmental entity by virtue of formal appointment as required by law; or (d) As an employed public official meaning any person holding public office of a governmental entity by virtue of employment, or a person employed by a governmental entity on a consultative basis. Question No. 5: Who is subject to the prohibition against contracts with officers contained in chapter 2, title 59, Idaho Code? 2328 Answer: All members of the legislature and state, county, city, district and precinct officers are subject to the prohibitions contained in chapter 2, title 59, Idaho Code. While officer is not defined, the definition of public official contained in the Ethics in Government Act should be considered as a guide to those covered by the prohibitions in chapter 2, title 59, Idaho Code. NEPOTISM Question No. 6: Is the current employment of a public employee jeopardized by the subsequent election of a relative to a public office that has supervisory authority over that employee? Answer: Idaho Code sets forth the nepotism policy of the state of Idaho. The Attorney General s Office has taken the position that existing public employment will not be jeopardized by the subsequent election of a relative of that employee to public office. Question No. 7: How does the subsequent election of a relative affect promotion/advancement potential of a current employee? Answer: Under Idaho Code (5), the employee may continue to work in the current job assignment and remain eligible to receive non-meritorious pay increases. Idaho Code (e) prohibits the public official from appointing or voting for the appointment of the relative to any position, employment or duty. Similarly, more specific sections relating to the mayor, city council, county commissioners and state legislators may prohibit any person, not just the related elected official, from appointing the current employee to any office, position, employment or duty. Question No. 8: When a county employee s spouse is elected to the county commission, is the employee s position jeopardized? Answer: As stated above, Idaho Code states that existing public employment should not be jeopardized by the subsequent election of a relative to public office. The 2002 enactment of Idaho Code (5) is intended to permit the spouse of an elected official to continue in his/her present employment. However, Idaho Code may cast some doubt on whether Idaho Code (5) fully permits continued employment. Due to the enactment of Idaho Code (5) and the Statement of Purpose accompanying the bill, it appears that a court would likely permit the continued employment of a spouse of a subsequently elected official. 2429 Idaho Code may prohibit the continued employment by a school district of an employee whose spouse is elected to the district s board of trustees where the contract must be renewed annually. Idaho Code incorporates Idaho Code applying the prohibition to trustees of junior college districts. Question No. 9: May a county enter into a contract for goods or services with the son/daughter-in-law of one of the commissioners? Answer: Idaho Code (1)(F) and applies in this situation. The code section provides: No person related to a county commissioner by blood or marriage within the second degree shall be appointed to any clerkship, office, position, employment or duty with the commissioner s county when the salary, wages, pay or compensation of such appointee or employee is to be paid out of public funds. The commissioner s son/daughter-in-law is clearly related by marriage within the second degree, and will be compensated for the performance of his/her duties. The county would be prohibited from hiring the commissioner s son/daughter-in-law. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST/PROHIBITED CONTRACTS Question No. 10: What action is required under chapter 7 of title 59, Idaho Code, the Ethics in Government Act, if a conflict of interest exists? Answer: The Ethics in Government Act requires certain action when a conflict of interest exists. A conflict of interest is generally defined as any official action or any decision or recommendation by a person acting in a capacity as a public official, the effect of which would be to the private pecuniary benefit of the person or a member of the person s household, or a business with which the person or a member of the person s household is associated. When a conflict of interest exists, the public official must disclose the conflict. Under the Ethics in Government Act, disclosure does not affect an elected public official s authority to be counted for the purpose of determining a quorum and to debate and to vote on the matter. 2530 The public official may seek legal advice on whether a conflict of interest exists. If the legal advice is that a real or potential conflict may exist, generally, the public official must prepare a written statement describing the matter required to be acted upon and the nature of the potential conflict, and shall file such statement with the entity set forth in the statute pertaining to the appropriate elected or appointed office. Disclosure of the conflict or consultation with counsel satisfies the requirements of the Ethics in Government Act. It does not, however, permit the public official to engage in acts prohibited by other provisions of the Idaho Code. Question No. 11: Are there exceptions to the definition of conflict of interest in chapter 7 of title 59, Idaho Code, the Ethics in Government Act? Answer: Yes. Under the Act, there is no conflict of interest if the pecuniary benefit received arises out of: (a) An interest or membership in a particular business, industry, occupation or class required by law as a prerequisite to the holding by the person of the office or position; (b) Any action in the person's official capacity which would affect to the same degree a class consisting of an industry or occupation group in which the person, or a member of the person's household or business with which the person is associated, is a member or is engaged; (c) Any interest which the person has by virtue of his profession, trade or occupation where his interest would be affected to the same degree as that of a substantial group or class of others similarly engaged in the profession, trade or occupation; (d) Any action by a public official upon any revenue measure, any appropriation measure or any measure imposing a tax, when similarly situated members of the general public are affected by the outcome of the action in a substantially similar manner and degree. Question No. 12: What is the effect on a contract entered into in violation of the conflict of interest provisions of Idaho law? 2631 Answer: The answer depends upon the specific statute and how the courts may have interpreted that statute. Violations of Idaho Code are voidable by any party, except the interested official, but not void from the beginning. Idaho Code However, violations of other ethics statutes may cause the contract to be void. For instance, in Independent School Dist. No. 5 v. Collins, 15 Idaho 535, 98 P. 857 (1908), the court addressed violations of Idaho Code , stating: [S]uch contracts are absolutely void. If money is illegally paid on such void contract, the district may recover it back, and in case the district refuses to do so, any taxpayer of the district may, for and on behalf of the district, maintain an action for the recovery of the money so illegally paid. 15 Idaho at 541. In any contract or transaction entered into which is ruled void, the public official would be required to refund any money he/she receives pursuant to a contract or transaction with the board. Such a challenge could be initiated by the board or by a taxpayer within the respective governmental entity. Question No. 13: May the employer of a city council member contract with the city? Answer: The answer is yes, under certain circumstances, such as when an interest is defined to be remote under Idaho Code A and, therefore, not a conflict of interest. Remote interest means: (a) corporation; or That of a non-salaried officer of a nonprofit (b) That of an employee or agent of a contracting party where the compensation of such employee or agent consists entirely of fixed wages or salary; or or (c) That of a landlord or tenant of a contracting party; (d) That of a holder of less than one percent (1%) of the shares of a corporation or cooperative that is a contracting party. 2732 However, even if the interest is remote, the public official must disclose the remote interest prior to the formation of the contract, and the governing body must approve the contract on a vote sufficient for that purpose without counting the vote of the officer having the remote interest. Furthermore, the public official cannot attempt to influence another officer of the board of which he is an officer to enter into the contract. Question No. 14: Are there any circumstances where a public official can personally contract with a board of which he or she is a member? Answer: In rare circumstances a public official can contract directly with the board of which he/she is a member whether or not he or she is an elected or appointed public official. Under Idaho Code , a public official or his/her relatives can contract with the board if: (1) The contract is competitively bid and the public servant or his/her relative submits the low bid; and (2) Neither the public servant nor his/her relative takes any part in the preparation of the contract or bid specifications, and the public servant takes no part in voting on or approving the contract or bid specifications; and (3) The public servant makes full disclosure, in writing, to all members of the governing body, council or board of said public body of his/her interest or that of his/her relative and of his or his relative's intention to bid on the contract; and (4) Neither the public servant nor his/her relative has violated any provision of Idaho law pertaining to competitive bidding or improper solicitation of business. Question No. 15: May a school district conduct business with a business establishment whose owner is a spouse of a school board trustee? Answer: Idaho has a long-standing tradition of forbidding school board trustees from doing any business with or receiving any pecuniary benefit from the district they serve. Idaho Code states in relevant part: 2833 It shall be unlawful for any trustee to have pecuniary interest, directly or indirectly, in any contract or other transaction pertaining to the maintenance or conduct of the school district, or to accept any reward or compensation for services rendered as a trustee except as may be otherwise provided in this section. (Emphasis added.) Purchases by the district of material from an establishment owned by the spouse of a school board trustee provide a direct or indirect pecuniary benefit to the member of the school board. The school board trustee would certainly benefit from any transactions between the district and the business establishment. Even if there is not a written contract between the business establishment and the district, it does not take the situation outside the reach of Idaho Code There would still be a contractual relationship between the business and the district. Moreover, the contract would be void. Idaho Code incorporates Idaho Code and makes the limitations on the authority of school district trustees applicable to trustees of junior college districts. Question No. 16: May a county employee purchase property that the county has for sale? Answer: There is no express prohibition against a county employee purchasing county property, unless that individual is a county commissioner or other officer. See Idaho Code A and This rule applies to county employees generally. Sheriffs deputies selling property at sheriffs sales are prohibited from participating in the sale. BRIBERY/CORRUPT INFLUENCE & GIFTS TO PUBLIC OFFICIALS Question No. 17: Would a regional tour sponsored by a chamber of commerce to acquaint legislators with a region of the state, provided without charge to every member of the Idaho Legislature, violate the Bribery and Corrupt Influence Act? Answer: Idaho Code regulates gifts to public servants. Subsection (4) relates to legislative and executive officials: 2934 No legislator or public servant shall solicit, accept or agree to accept any pecuniary benefit in return for action on a bill, legislation, proceeding or official transaction from any person known to be interested in a bill, legislation, official transaction or proceeding. There have been no allegations, nor has it ever been suggested, that the efforts of the members of the chamber of commerce are made in return for legislative action on their behalf. Therefore, the tour in general does not violate Idaho Code (4). Consideration must also be given to Idaho Code (1)(a), which provides: No public servant shall: (a) Without the specific authorization of the governmental entity for which he serves, use public funds or property to obtain a pecuniary benefit for himself. It is the opinion of the Attorney General s Office that the legislature, by enacting Idaho Code (1)(a), did not intend to prohibit and criminalize participation in activities such as this tour. The combination of official business with conferences and social activities is a fact of modern life, and it is the opinion of this office that the legislature did not intend to eliminate that reality. This tour is a legitimate function of the legislature, and the expenses associated with the tour, if submitted on a voucher, could be financed by the state. As such, they are clearly not pecuniary benefits inuring to the legislators personal or private benefit. Question No. 18: Would a business trip by legislators for the purpose of viewing demonstrations of a product purchased by the state, in which airfare, food and lodging were paid for by the vendor, but not entertainment events, violate either the Ethics in Government Act or the Bribery and Corrupt Influences Act? Answer: Idaho Code , the Ethics in Government Act, is directed primarily towards improper activities of public officials in the course of their official duties. In this case it is apparent that the public officials would derive some pecuniary benefit from the trip. However, the pecuniary benefit does not appear personal in nature because the trip is for business purposes only, without any entertainment or personal activities on the agenda. The facts do not reveal that any official action or any decision or recommendation has been made by 3035 the public officials to the benefit of the company sponsoring the trip. The trip does not relate to any upcoming bidding or contracting process in which the company stands to gain or lose. The trip does not seem to violate the Ethics in Government Act. Idaho Code (1)(a) is also not an issue in this case. The officials are acting strictly in their official capacity, there will be no private or personal gain in the form of entertainment or other purely personal activities, and the business trip appears to be directed solely at a legitimate legislative function--gathering technical information relevant to the state s interest in a product. This type of informational business trip does not call into question the type of private pecuniary gain or official action in return for such gain which Idaho s ethics laws clearly and strongly outlaw. The trip would not violate either the Ethics in Government Act or the Bribery and Corrupt Influences Act. Question No. 19: Can members of the Idaho Legislature accept gift packs from a marketing association in the state of Idaho in which the products are intended to promote the variety and quality of merchandise produced in Idaho? Answer: According to Idaho Code (4), a conflict of interest occurs when a legislative official takes official action or makes an official decision or recommendation, the effect being to the private pecuniary benefit of such person, the person s household or business. Based on the facts in this case, it is difficult to foresee any legislator having a conflict of interest resulting from the acceptance of one of the complimentary gift packs. A conflict of interest requires some official action by the legislator. From the facts presented in this case, there is no indication the receipt of the gift pack was the result of any official action, decision or recommendation taken or proposed by any legislator. Mere acceptance of the gift pack does not violate the provisions of Idaho Code (1)(b). In addition, under Idaho Code (1)(b), trivial gifts or benefits, which do not exceed $50.00 in value, are not prohibited if they are incidental to personal, professional or business contacts and do not affect official impartiality. Question No. 20: If a major corporate officer of a firm which performs a great deal of work for one of the state departments should become a member of the Idaho Legislature, would there be any possibility of a conflict of interest arising out of his holding public office and voting on appropriations while continuing to be a corporate officer of a private firm? 3136 Answer: Yes. Idaho Code , provides: Members of the legislature, state, county, city, district and precinct officers, must not be interested in any contract made by them in their official capacity, or by any body or board of which they are members. In addition to constitutional and statutory provisions, the rules of the senate or house of representatives may require that members declare their interest or abstain from voting in cases involving conflicting personal and public interests. part: Similarly, Idaho Constitution art. 3, 9, provides in pertinent Each house when assembled shall choose its own officers; judges of the election, qualifications and returns of its own members, determine its own rules of proceeding, and sit upon its own adjournments;... INCOMPATIBILITY OF OFFICE Question No. 21: May an individual serve in the Idaho Legislature and as the mayor of a municipality at the same time? Answer: Idaho has no constitutional or statutory provisions prohibiting a state legislator from concurrently holding another public office. However, the common law doctrine of incompatibility of office should be examined. The common law doctrine of incompatibility as it relates to one person holding two public offices is based upon the public policy that public service requires the discharge of official duties with undivided loyalty. In the question presented, the two positions are not incompatible. The office of mayor is wholly independent from the state legislature and cannot in any sense be viewed as subordinate. The duties of the mayor do not conflict or clash with the duties of a state legislator. Finally, it has been suggested that holding dual offices violates the distribution of powers clause of Idaho Constitution art. 2, 1. This section provides: The powers of the government of this state are divided into three distinct departments, the 3237 legislative, executive and judicial; and no person or collection of persons charged with the exercise of powers properly belonging to one of these departments shall exercise any powers properly belonging to either of the others, except as in this constitution expressly directed or permitted. In relation to the separation of powers between state and local governments (prohibiting a person from serving in an executive capacity on the local level and as a legislator in the state government), this office has been unable to find any authority indicating that the doctrine has any application. The fact that a state legislator is also a municipal executive officer does not in any sense impinge or intrude upon the authority of the state judicial or executive branches. Similarly, the fact that a city mayor is also a state legislator does not intrude upon the authority of the respective city council. Thus, holding dual public offices, one municipal and one state, does not violate art. 2, 1 of the Idaho Constitution. This office can find no statutory or common law prohibition preventing a city mayor from serving in the Idaho Legislature. Question No. 22: May a member of a county planning and zoning commission serve as a city councilman without creating a conflict of interest? Answer: The Local Planning Act contains a conflict of interest provision: A member or employee of a governing board, commission, or joint commission shall not participate in any proceeding or action when the member or employee or his employer, business partner, business(,) associate, or any person related to him by affinity or consanguinity within the second degree has an economic interest in the procedure or action. Idaho Code Because a city council member is an agent of the city he/she represents, this section would probably prevent him/her from participating in any county zoning decisions that may affect the city s economic interests. However, there is no provision requiring the council member to resign his/her position. 3338 There is also present a question of incompatibility of office. The common law doctrine applies if there is a potential conflict between the two offices such that one individual could not give absolute allegiance to both offices. Incompatibility is most often found where one office supervises the other or when the interests of the two offices are antagonistic to each other. 3 McQuillin on Municipal Corporations, et seq. In the area of zoning, the interests of the county and the city may frequently be at odds, and it is not uncommon for cities and counties to sue one another over zoning disputes. Under such circumstances one person could not fill both offices without a conflict of loyalty. If two offices are incompatible, one office should be vacated. The Attorney General s Office recommends that one office be vacated to eliminate the incompatibility problem. Question No. 23: May a person serve as a chairman of a county political party and as a member of the Idaho State board of Correction? Answer: It appears that a person cannot serve as chairman of a county political party and retain a position on the board of correction. Idaho Code provides: The members of the board of correction and its officers and employees shall not, at any time of appointment nor during their incumbency of office, serve as the representative, officer, or employee of any political party. The language of this code section is clear and unambiguous. An individual cannot serve as a representative, officer or employee of a political party and also serve on the state board of correction. 34 39 CONSANGUINITY CHART 35 View more
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