reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MS Code § 25-4-15 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 25 - Public Officers and Employees; Public Records|Chapter 4 - Ethics in Government|Article 1 - Mississippi Ethics Commission|§ 25-4-15. Executive director; employees

  The commission shall appoint an executive director to serve at the pleasure of the commission. The executive director shall possess a high degree of professional competence and integrity. The executive director shall be responsible for the administrative operations of the commission and shall perform other such duties within its powers as may be delegated or assigned from time to time by regulations or orders of the commission. The commission, by and through its executive director, may employ the personnel necessary to properly discharge the duties and responsibilities of the commission, subject to budgetary limitations. Such personnel shall possess a high degree of professional competence and integrity in the area in which employed.   All employees of the commission shall be excluded from the provisions of Section 25-9-101 et seq., relating to the State Personnel System.
MS Code § 25-4-18 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 25 - Public Officers and Employees; Public Records|Chapter 4 - Ethics in Government|Article 1 - Mississippi Ethics Commission|§ 25-4-18. Opinions of Attorney General as to ethical situations concerning individual legislators

  The appropriate committee designated by the Senate or the House of Representatives of the State of Mississippi to deal with ethical matters of their respective body may request, in writing, an opinion from the Attorney General as to real or hypothetical situations concerning a member of their respective body, but only upon request of such member. The Attorney General shall issue his opinion, in writing, in response to such request.   When a request pursuant to subsection (1) of this section shall have stated all the facts to govern such opinion and an opinion shall have been prepared and delivered with reference thereto, there shall be no liability, civil or criminal, accruing to or against the member requesting the opinion who, in good faith, follows the direction of the opinion and acts in accordance therewith unless a court of competent jurisdiction, after a full hearing, shall judicially declare that such opinion is manifestly wrong and without substantial support. No opinion shall be given or considered if such opinion is requested after suit is filed or prosecution begun.   All requests for opinions and all opinions issued pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be confidential and neither the Attorney General nor the committee shall publicly disclose any opinion issued or the fact that an opinion has been requested or issued unless the member requesting the opinion gives his permission, in writing, to the appropriate committee of his respective house.   The provisions of this section shall be supplemental and in addition to any other statute.
MS Code § 25-4-19 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 25 - Public Officers and Employees; Public Records|Chapter 4 - Ethics in Government|Article 1 - Mississippi Ethics Commission|§ 25-4-19. Powers of commission

 The commission shall have the authority to do the following:   (i) Make investigations, as provided in Section 25-4-21, with respect to statements of economic interest filed pursuant to this chapter and with respect to alleged failures to file any statement of economic interest as required pursuant to this chapter;   Administratively impose a civil penalty as provided in Sections 25-4-29 and 25-4-109;   Request the assistance of the Attorney General, the Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review Committee, the Department of Audit and any other governmental agency or political subdivision in the conduct of any investigation in which a particular resource of an agency may be needed;   Administer oaths and issue and serve subpoenas upon any witness or for the production of documents before the commission, and such subpoenas may include a protective order requiring confidentiality of the subpoena, the subject matter, and any documents subpoenaed, and such subpoenas shall be enforced by the courts of this state;   Report when necessary, as provided in Section 25-4-21(e), to the Attorney General and appropriate district attorney;   Upon a complaint signed under oath by any person, including any member of the commission or its staff or referred to the commission by the Joint Legislative Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review, investigate, as provided in Section 25-4-21, any alleged violation of law by public officials or public employees;   Seek, in the name of and for the use and benefit of the State of Mississippi, or a political subdivision thereof, restitution or other equitable or legal remedies in civil law to recover public funds or property unlawfully taken, as well as any unjust enrichment, although not public funds, and to recover on bonds where the state or a political subdivision thereof is the beneficiary;   Employ an attorney or attorneys to:   Serve as a special prosecutor to assist the Attorney General or a district attorney; and   File actions to seek restitution or other remedies to recover funds as provided in paragraph (f) of this section;   Publish notices for posting in governmental offices that outline the jurisdiction and authority of the commission and the procedure for filing complaints and requesting opinions.
MS Code § 25-4-23 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 25 - Public Officers and Employees; Public Records|Chapter 4 - Ethics in Government|Article 1 - Mississippi Ethics Commission|§ 25-4-23. Confidentiality of proceedings and records

 All commission proceedings and records relating to any investigation shall be kept confidential, except this requirement shall not be construed to interfere with the commission's authority, pursuant to paragraph (g) of Section 25-4-17, paragraphs (d) and (f) of Section 25-4-19, and pursuant to Section 25-4-21, or when necessary for prosecutions of violations under Section 25-4-31.
MS Code § 25-4-25 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 25 - Public Officers and Employees; Public Records|Chapter 4 - Ethics in Government|Article 1 - Mississippi Ethics Commission|§ 25-4-25. Persons required to file statement of economic interest

 Each of the following individuals shall file a statement of economic interest with the commission in accordance with the provisions of this chapter:   Persons elected by popular vote, excluding United States Senators and United States Representatives, to any office, whether it be legislative, executive or judicial, and whether it be statewide, district, county, municipal or any other political subdivision, with the exception of members of boards of levee commissioners and election commissioners;   Members of local school boards that administer public funds, regardless of whether such members are elected or appointed;   Persons who are candidates for public office or who are appointed to fill a vacancy in an office who, if elected, would be required to file under paragraph (a) of this section;   Executive directors or heads of state agencies, by whatever name they are designated, who are paid in part or in whole, directly or indirectly, from funds appropriated or authorized to be expended by the Legislature, and the presidents and trustees of all state-supported colleges, universities and junior colleges;   Members of any state board, commission or agency, including the Mississippi Ethics Commission, charged with the administration or expenditure of public funds, with the exception of advisory boards or commissions; provided, however, in order to fulfill the legislative purposes of this chapter, the commission may require, upon a majority vote, the filing of a statement of economic interest by members of an advisory board or commission;   Executive directors, heads, or members of any board, committee, commission or council of any of the following entities, by whatever name designated:   An economic development district established pursuant to Title 19, Chapter 5, Mississippi Code of 1972;   Any entity created pursuant to the Regional Economic Development Act, Title 57, Chapter 64, Mississippi Code of 1972;   Any county development commission established pursuant to Title 59, Chapter 9, Mississippi Code of 1972;   Any industrial council established pursuant to Title 57, Chapter 32, Mississippi Code of 1972; or   An airport authority established pursuant to statute or other legislative act.
MS Code § 25-4-27 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 25 - Public Officers and Employees; Public Records|Chapter 4 - Ethics in Government|Article 1 - Mississippi Ethics Commission|§ 25-4-27. Contents of statement of economic interest

 Each person specified under Section 25-4-25 shall file a statement in accordance with the provisions of this chapter in the manner and format prescribed by the commission which shall be certified as to the accuracy and completeness of the information set forth to the best knowledge of the person submitting the statement. The commission shall develop a system of electronic filing for use by persons required to file a statement of economic interest. The commission shall implement the electronic filing system on or before January 1, 2010. Any person required to file with the commission shall file electronically on and after January 1, 2010. The statement shall include the following information for the preceding calendar year:   The name and mailing address of the filer;   The title, position and offices whereby the person is required to file;   All other occupations of the filer and his household members;   The names and addresses of all businesses in which the filer or a household member held a position, and the name of the position, if the person or a household member:   Receives more than Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.00) per year in income from the business;   Owns ten percent (10%) or more of the fair market value in the business;   Owns an ownership interest in the business, the fair market value of which exceeds Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00); or   Is an employee, director or officer of the business;   Any representation or intervention for compensation by a person specified under Section 25-4-25(a) and (d) for any person or business before any authority of state or local government, excluding the courts; provided, however, that this provision shall not apply where the representation involves only uncontested or routine matters. The statement shall identify the person represented and the nature of the business involved; and   The filing party shall list all public bodies from which he or a household member received compensation in excess of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00).
MS Code § 25-4-29 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 25 - Public Officers and Employees; Public Records|Chapter 4 - Ethics in Government|Article 1 - Mississippi Ethics Commission|§ 25-4-29. Filing dates for statements

  Required statements hereunder shall be filed as follows:   Every incumbent public official required by paragraphs (a), (b), (d) and (e) of Section 25-4-25 to file a statement of economic interest shall file such statement with the commission on or before May 1 of each year that such official holds office, regardless of duration;   Candidates for office required to file a statement hereunder shall file such statement within fifteen (15) days after the deadline for qualification for that public office;   Persons who are required to file a statement because of appointment to fill a vacancy in an office or required to file under Section 25-4-25(d) and (e) shall file such statement within thirty (30) days of their appointment;   No person by reason of successful candidacy or assuming additional offices shall be required to file more than one (1) statement of economic interest in any calendar year, except such official shall notify the commission as soon as practicable of additional offices not previously reported; and   The commission may, on an individual case basis, provide for additional time to file a statement upon a showing that compliance with a filing date set out under paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d) above would work an unreasonable hardship.     Any person who fails to file a statement of economic interest within thirty (30) days of the date the statement is due shall be deemed delinquent by the commission. The commission shall give written notice of the delinquency to the person by United States mail or by personal service of process. If within fifteen (15) days of receiving written notice of delinquency the delinquent filer has not filed the statement of economic interest, a fine of Fifty Dollars ($50.00) per day, not to exceed a total fine of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), shall be assessed against the delinquent filer for each day thereafter in which the statement of economic interest is not properly filed. The commission shall enroll such assessment as a civil judgment with the circuit clerk in the delinquent filer's county of residence. The commission may enforce the judgment for the benefit of the State General Fund for the support of the Mississippi Adequate Education Program in the same manner as is prescribed for other civil judgments.
MS Code § 25-4-31 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 25 - Public Officers and Employees; Public Records|Chapter 4 - Ethics in Government|Article 1 - Mississippi Ethics Commission|§ 25-4-31. Fines and penalties

  Any person who violates the confidentiality of a commission proceeding pursuant to this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or imprisoned not more than one (1) year, or be both fined and imprisoned.   Any person who willfully and knowingly files a false complaint with the commission or who willfully affirms, reports or swears falsely in regard to any material matter before a commission proceeding is guilty of a felony, and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) nor more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), or committed to the custody of the Department of Corrections for not more than five (5) years, or by both such fine and imprisonment.   Any person who, having been served with written notice of delinquency, shall fail to file a disclosure statement as required by this chapter within one (1) year of the date the statement is due, or who shall, although filing such statement, knowingly fail to disclose information required by this chapter, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00).
MS Code § 25-4-101 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 25 - Public Officers and Employees; Public Records|Chapter 4 - Ethics in Government|Article 3 - Conflict of Interest; Improper Use of Office|§ 25-4-101. Declaration of public policy

 The Legislature declares that elective and public office and employment is a public trust and any effort to realize personal gain through official conduct, other than as provided by law, or as a natural consequence of the employment or position, is a violation of that trust. Therefore, public servants shall endeavor to pursue a course of conduct which will not raise suspicion among the public that they are likely to be engaged in acts that are in violation of this trust and which will not reflect unfavorably upon the state and local governments.
MS Code § 25-4-107 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 25 - Public Officers and Employees; Public Records|Chapter 4 - Ethics in Government|Article 3 - Conflict of Interest; Improper Use of Office|§ 25-4-107. Complaints; where brought; removal; initiated by; defendant's right to jury trial

  The commission may pursue enforcement of this chapter by means of hearings held before the commission or an independent hearing officer to determine whether a respondent violated the law and, if so, what penalty should be imposed. Hearings shall be conducted according to the Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure and the Mississippi Rules of Evidence.   Any person aggrieved by a decision of the commission made pursuant to its hearing procedures may appeal de novo to the Circuit Court for Hinds County, and execution of the commission's decision shall be stayed upon the filing of a notice of appeal.
MS Code § 25-4-109 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 25 - Public Officers and Employees; Public Records|Chapter 4 - Ethics in Government|Article 3 - Conflict of Interest; Improper Use of Office|§ 25-4-109. Penalties; elected and nonelected public servants

  Upon a finding by clear and convincing evidence that any elected public servant or other person has violated any provision of this article, the commission may censure the elected public servant or impose a civil fine of not more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), or both. The commission may further recommend to the Circuit Court for Hinds County that the elected public servant be removed from office.   Upon a finding by clear and convincing evidence that any nonelected public servant has violated any provision of this article, the commission may censure the nonelected public servant or impose a civil fine of not more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), or both. The commission may further recommend to the Circuit Court for Hinds County that the nonelected public servant be removed from office, suspended, or subjected to a demotion or reduction in pay.   The commission may order restitution or other equitable or legal remedies to recover public funds or property unlawfully taken, as well as unjust enrichment, although not public funds. Any pecuniary benefit received by a public servant in violation of this article may be declared forfeited by the commission for the benefit of the governmental entity injured.   In the event a public servant does not appeal the decision or recommendation of the commission, the commission may petition the Circuit Court for Hinds County for the removal, suspension, demotion or reduction of pay of the public servant as provided by law.
MS Code § 25-4-111 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 25 - Public Officers and Employees; Public Records|Chapter 4 - Ethics in Government|Article 3 - Conflict of Interest; Improper Use of Office|§ 25-4-111. Authority head to take action against public servant who has violated article; conditions imposed upon former public servant

  An authority head and any other public servant having the authority to appoint a person to a position of public service, regardless of whether or not such appointment requires the approval of the senate or any other body, employee or person, shall take such action as may be ordered by a circuit court of competent jurisdiction with respect to any public employee within his authority or any such appointee upon a finding by such court that such employee or appointee has violated any provision of this article. Such action may include the imposition of the conditions described in subsection (2) of Section 25-4-109.   Upon a finding by a circuit court of competent jurisdiction that a former public servant or other person has violated any provision of this article or any order promulgated hereunder, such court shall bar or impose reasonable conditions upon:   The appearance before any authority of such former public servant or other person.   The conduct of, or negotiation or competition for, business with any authority by such former public servant or other person for such period of time as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the purposes of this article.
MS Code § 25-4-113 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 25 - Public Officers and Employees; Public Records|Chapter 4 - Ethics in Government|Article 3 - Conflict of Interest; Improper Use of Office|§ 25-4-113. Civil action for damages against violator of article; forfeiture of pecuniary benefit; costs and attorneys' fees

 The Attorney General of the State of Mississippi, the commission, or any governmental entity directly injured by a violation of this article may bring a separate civil action against the public servant or other person or business violating the provisions of this article for recovery of damages suffered as a result of such violation. Further, any pecuniary benefit received by or given by a public servant in violation of this article shall be declared forfeited by a circuit court of competent jurisdiction for the benefit of the governmental entity injured. In the discretion of the court, any judgment for damages or forfeiture of pecuniary benefit may include costs of court and reasonable attorney's fees.
MS Code § 25-4-115 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 25 - Public Officers and Employees; Public Records|Chapter 4 - Ethics in Government|Article 3 - Conflict of Interest; Improper Use of Office|§ 25-4-115. Civil liability not precluded

 This article shall not bar, suspend or otherwise restrict any right or liability to damage, penalty, forfeiture, restitution or other remedy authorized by law to be recovered or enforced in a civil action, regardless of whether the conduct involved in the proceeding constituted an offense covered by this article.
MS Code § 25-4-117 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 25 - Public Officers and Employees; Public Records|Chapter 4 - Ethics in Government|Article 3 - Conflict of Interest; Improper Use of Office|§ 25-4-117. Criminal liability not precluded

 The provisions of this article shall be in addition to any criminal laws. Actions taken under the provisions of this article shall not bar prosecution for violations of the criminal law.
MS Code § 25-4-119 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 25 - Public Officers and Employees; Public Records|Chapter 4 - Ethics in Government|Article 3 - Conflict of Interest; Improper Use of Office|§ 25-4-119. Officials not to derive pecuniary benefits as result of official duties; penalties

 No elected or appointed official shall derive any pecuniary benefit, directly or indirectly, as a result of such elected or appointed official's duties under Sections 21-19-33, 27-109-1, 27-109-3, 27-109-7, 27-109-9, 67-1-71, 87-1-5, 95-3-25, 97-33-1, 97-33-7, 97-33-9, 97-33-17, 97-33-25, and 97-33-27. Any person convicted of a violation of this section shall be punished pursuant to the provisions of this article.
MS Code § 25-4-121 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 25 - Public Officers and Employees; Public Records|Chapter 4 - Ethics in Government|Article 3 - Conflict of Interest; Improper Use of Office|§ 25-4-121. Officials or members of immediate family, partners or associates not to derive pecuniary benefits as result of official duties under Chapter 497, Laws of 2009; penalties

 No elected or appointed official shall derive any pecuniary benefit, directly or indirectly, as a result of his duties under Chapter 497, Laws of 2009. Any elected or appointed official, any member of the immediate family or any partner or associate of the elected or appointed official, shall not derive any income from the issuance of any bonds or the disposition of any property under Chapter 497, Laws of 2009, contrary to the provisions of Section 109, Mississippi Constitution of 1890, or this article. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any person performing clerical or administrative functions, which are other than legal services provided by an attorney, that are associated with the issuance of any bonds under Chapter 497, Laws of 2009, such as the printing of bonds or other materials. Any person convicted of a violation of this subsection shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one (1) year and not more than five (5) years and a fine of not less than Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.00) and not more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00).