reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 24. Legislature and Lobbying › Chapter 55. Office of the Ombudsman › Article 3. Investigations. › Sec. 24.55.160. Investigation procedures; privileged communications.

(a) In an investigation, the ombudsman may
(1) make inquiries and obtain information considered necessary;
(2) enter without notice to inspect the premises of an agency, but only when agency personnel are present;
(3) hold private hearings; and
(4) notwithstanding other provisions of law, have access at all times to records of every agency, including confidential records, except sealed court records, production of which may only be compelled by subpoena, and except for records of active criminal investigations and records that could lead to the identity of confidential police informants.
(b) The ombudsman shall maintain confidentiality with respect to all matters and the identities of the complainants or witnesses coming before the ombudsman except insofar as disclosures may be necessary to enable the ombudsman to carry out duties and to support recommendations. However, the ombudsman may not disclose a confidential record obtained from an agency.
(c) Disclosure by an agency to the ombudsman under this chapter of a communication that is subject to the attorney-client privilege, or attorney work-product privilege, does not waive the privilege as to any other person. The ombudsman may not disclose a privileged communication provided under this subsection unless the communication is evidence of an act of an agency that the ombudsman reasonably believes is criminal.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 24. Legislature and Lobbying › Chapter 55. Office of the Ombudsman › Article 3. Investigations. › Sec. 24.55.170. Powers.

(a) Subject to the privileges that witnesses have in the courts of this state, the ombudsman may compel by subpoena, at a specified time and place, the
(1) appearance and sworn testimony of a person who the ombudsman reasonably believes may be able to give information relating to a matter under investigation; and
(2) production by a person of a record or object that the ombudsman reasonably believes may relate to the matter under investigation.
(b) If a person refuses to comply with a subpoena issued under (a) of this section, the superior court may, on application of the ombudsman, compel obedience by proceedings for contempt in the same manner as in the case of disobedience to the requirements of a subpoena issued by the court or refusal to testify in the court.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 24. Legislature and Lobbying › Chapter 55. Office of the Ombudsman › Article 4. Procedure and Reports After Investigation. › Sec. 24.55.180. Consultation.

Before giving an opinion or recommendation that is critical of an agency or person, the ombudsman shall consult with that agency or person. The ombudsman may make a preliminary opinion or recommendation available to the agency or person for review, but the preliminary opinion or recommendation is confidential and may not be disclosed to the public by the agency or person.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 24. Legislature and Lobbying › Chapter 55. Office of the Ombudsman › Article 4. Procedure and Reports After Investigation. › Sec. 24.55.190. Procedure after investigation.

(a) The ombudsman shall report the opinion and recommendations of the ombudsman to an agency if the ombudsman finds, after investigation, that
(1) a matter should be further considered by the agency;
(2) an administrative act should be modified or cancelled;
(3) a statute or regulation on which an administrative act is based should be altered;
(4) reasons should be given for an administrative act;
(5) any other action should be taken by the agency;
(6) there are no grounds for action by the agency; or
(7) the agency's act was arbitrary or capricious, constituted an abuse of discretion, or was otherwise erroneous or not in accordance with the law.
(b) The ombudsman may request the agency to notify the ombudsman, within a specified time, of any action taken on the recommendations.
(c) The report provided under (a) of this section is confidential and may not be disclosed to the public by the agency. The ombudsman may disclose the report under AS 24.55.200 only after providing notice that the investigation has been concluded
(1) to the agency; and
(2) if the investigation was conducted in response to a complaint, to the complainant under AS 24.55.210.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 24. Legislature and Lobbying › Chapter 55. Office of the Ombudsman › Article 4. Procedure and Reports After Investigation. › Sec. 24.55.200. Publication of recommendations.

Within a reasonable amount of time after the ombudsman reports the opinion and recommendations to an agency the ombudsman may present the opinion and recommendations to the governor, the legislature, a grand jury, the public or any of these. The ombudsman shall include with the opinion any reply made by the agency.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 24. Legislature and Lobbying › Chapter 55. Office of the Ombudsman › Article 4. Procedure and Reports After Investigation. › Sec. 24.55.220. Misconduct by agency personnel.

If the ombudsman believes there is a breach of duty or misconduct by an officer or employee of an agency in the conduct of the officer's or employee's official duties, the ombudsman shall refer the matter to the chief executive officer of the agency or, when appropriate, to a grand jury or to another appropriate official or agency.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 24. Legislature and Lobbying › Chapter 55. Office of the Ombudsman › Article 5. Miscellaneous. › Sec. 24.55.250. Immunity of the ombudsman.

A civil action may not be brought against the ombudsman or a member of the ombudsman's staff for anything done, said, or omitted in performing the ombudsman's duties or responsibilities under this chapter.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 24. Legislature and Lobbying › Chapter 55. Office of the Ombudsman › Article 5. Miscellaneous. › Sec. 24.55.260. Ombudsman's privilege not to testify or disclose documents.

(a) The ombudsman and staff of the ombudsman may not testify or be deposed in a judicial or administrative proceeding regarding matters coming to their attention in the exercise of their official duties, except as may be necessary to enforce the provisions of this chapter.
(b) The records of the ombudsman and staff of the ombudsman, including notes, drafts, and records obtained from an individual or agency during intake, review, or investigation of a complaint, and any reports not released to the public in accordance with AS 24.55.200, are not subject to disclosure or production in response to a subpoena or discovery in a judicial or administrative proceeding, except as the ombudsman determines may be necessary to enforce the provisions of this chapter. Disclosure by the ombudsman is subject to the restrictions on disclosure in AS 24.55.160 - 24.55.190.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 24. Legislature and Lobbying › Chapter 55. Office of the Ombudsman › Article 5. Miscellaneous. › Sec. 24.55.270. Letters to or from ombudsman.

A letter to the ombudsman from a person held in custody by an agency shall be forwarded immediately, unopened, to the ombudsman. A letter from the ombudsman to a person held in custody by an agency shall be delivered immediately, unopened, to the person.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 24. Legislature and Lobbying › Chapter 55. Office of the Ombudsman › Article 5. Miscellaneous. › Sec. 24.55.275. Procurement procedures.

The ombudsman shall adopt by regulation procurement procedures that are appropriate for the office of the ombudsman and that are similar to those adopted by the legislative council under AS 36.30.020, as they may be amended from time to time. The procedures shall be followed by the office of the ombudsman in contracting for professional and other services, supplies, and office space, and for construction limited to providing and maintaining office space for the office of the ombudsman. However, competitive principles in the procurement procedures adopted by the legislative council under AS 36.30.020 do not apply to contracts for investigations under AS 24.55.100.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 24. Legislature and Lobbying › Chapter 55. Office of the Ombudsman › Article 5. Miscellaneous. › Sec. 24.55.290. Penalty.

A person who wilfully hinders the lawful actions of the ombudsman or the staff of the ombudsman, or who wilfully refuses to comply with their lawful demands, or who wilfully violates AS 24.55.270, is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction is punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 24. Legislature and Lobbying › Chapter 55. Office of the Ombudsman › Article 6. General Provisions. › Sec. 24.55.320. Municipalities and school districts.

A municipality or school district may elect to become subject to the jurisdiction of the ombudsman appointed under this chapter. If a municipality or school district so elects, it shall notify the ombudsman of that election and shall thereafter be considered an agency for the purposes of this chapter. If a municipality or school district subjects itself to the jurisdiction of the ombudsman, the municipality or school district shall pay its pro rata share of the cost of the operation of the office of the ombudsman based on the number of complaints or the case load emanating from that municipality or school district, as prescribed by the ombudsman. If a municipality or school district elects to remove itself from the jurisdiction of the ombudsman, it shall notify the ombudsman of that election and shall not thereafter be considered an agency for the purposes of this chapter. A municipality that elects to become subject to the jurisdiction of the ombudsman or to remove itself from that jurisdiction must do so by ordinance. A school district that elects to become subject to the jurisdiction of the ombudsman or to remove itself from that jurisdiction must do so by resolution.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 24. Legislature and Lobbying › Chapter 55. Office of the Ombudsman › Article 6. General Provisions. › Sec. 24.55.330. Definitions.

In this chapter,
(1) “administrative act” means an action, omission, decision, recommendation, practice, policy, or procedure of an agency, but does not include the preparation or presentation of legislation or the substantive content of a judicial order, decision, or opinion;
(2) “agency” includes a department, office, institution, corporation, authority, organization, commission, committee, council, or board of a municipality or in the executive, legislative, or judicial branches of the state government, and a department, office, institution, corporation, authority, organization, commission, committee, council, or board of a municipality or of the state government independent of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches; it also includes an officer, employee, or member of an “agency” acting or purporting to act in the exercise of official duties, but does not include the governor, the lieutenant governor, a member of the legislature, the victims' advocate, the staff of the office of victims' rights, a justice of the supreme court, a judge of the court of appeals, a superior court judge, a district court judge, a magistrate, a member of a city council or borough assembly, an elected city or borough mayor, or a member of an elected school board;
(3) “record” means a document, paper, memorandum, book, letter, file, drawing, map, plat, photo, photographic file, motion picture, film, microfilm, microphotograph, exhibit, magnetic or paper tape, punched card, or other item developed or received under law or in connection with the transaction of official business, but does not include an attorney's work product, material that is confidential as a privileged communication between an attorney and client under rules adopted by the supreme court, or confidential oil and gas geological and geophysical data.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 24. Legislature and Lobbying › Chapter 60. Standards of Conduct › Article 1. Purpose and Applicability. › Sec. 24.60.010. Legislative findings and purpose.

The legislature finds that
(1) high moral and ethical standards among public servants in the legislative branch of government are essential to assure the trust, respect, and confidence of the people of this state;
(2) a fair and open government requires that legislators and legislative employees conduct the public's business in a manner that preserves the integrity of the legislative process and avoids conflicts of interest or even appearances of conflicts of interest;
(3) the public's commitment to a part-time citizen legislature requires legislators be drawn from all parts of society and the best way to attract competent people is to acknowledge that they provide their time and energy to the state, often at substantial personal and financial sacrifice;
(4) a part-time citizen legislature implies that legislators are expected and permitted to earn outside income and that the rules governing legislators' conduct during and after leaving public service must be clear, fair, and as complete as possible; the rules, however, should not impose unreasonable or unnecessary burdens that will discourage citizens from entering or staying in government service;
(5) in order for the rules governing conduct to be respected both during and after leaving public service, the code must be administered fairly without bias or favoritism;
(6) no code of conduct, however comprehensive, can anticipate all situations in which violations may occur nor can it prescribe behaviors that are appropriate to every situation; in addition, laws and regulations regarding ethical responsibilities cannot legislate morality, eradicate corruption, or eliminate bad judgment;
(7) compliance with a code of ethics is an individual responsibility; thus all who serve the legislature have a solemn responsibility to avoid improper conduct and prevent improper behavior by colleagues and subordinates;
(8) the purpose of this chapter is to establish standards of conduct for state legislators and legislative employees and to establish the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics to consider alleged violations of this chapter and to render advisory opinions to persons affected by this chapter;
(9) a fair and open government requires that constituents have unencumbered access to legislators about issues important to the state under art. I, secs. 5 and 6, Constitution of the State of Alaska, which protect the right of a legislator and a constituent to meet and the right of a person to petition the government, and this chapter is not intended to restrict those rights.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 24. Legislature and Lobbying › Chapter 60. Standards of Conduct › Article 1. Purpose and Applicability. › Sec. 24.60.020. Applicability; relationship to common law and other laws.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, this chapter applies to a member of the legislature, to a legislative employee, and to public members of the committee. This chapter does not apply to
(1) a former member of the legislature or to a person formerly employed by the legislative branch of government unless a provision of this chapter specifically states that it applies;
(2) a person elected to the legislature who at the time of election is not a member of the legislature.
(b) The provisions of this chapter specifically supersede the provisions of the common law relating to legislative conflict of interest that may apply to a member of the legislature or a legislative employee. This chapter does not supersede or repeal provisions of the criminal laws of the state. This chapter does not exempt a person from applicable provisions of another law unless the law is expressly superseded or incompatibly inconsistent with the specific provisions of this chapter.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 24. Legislature and Lobbying › Chapter 60. Standards of Conduct › Article 2. Standards of Conduct. › Sec. 24.60.035. Protection of whistle blowers.

A legislator or legislative employee may not, directly or indirectly, subject a person who reports to the committee or another government entity conduct the person reasonably believes is a violation of this chapter or another state law, to reprisal, harassment, or discrimination. A legislative employee who is discharged, disciplined, involuntarily transferred, or otherwise penalized by a legislator or another legislative employee in violation of this subsection may
(1) bring a complaint before the committee; and
(2) bring a separate civil action in the courts seeking damages, payment of back wages, reinstatement, or other relief.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 24. Legislature and Lobbying › Chapter 60. Standards of Conduct › Article 2. Standards of Conduct. › Sec. 24.60.039. Discrimination prohibited.

(a) A legislator or legislative employee may not engage in acts of discrimination in violation of AS 18.80.220.
(b) If a person files a complaint with the committee under AS 24.60.170 alleging a violation of this section, the committee may refer the complainant to the State Commission for Human Rights and may defer its consideration of the complaint until after the complainant establishes to the satisfaction of the committee that the commission has completed its proceedings in the matter.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 24. Legislature and Lobbying › Chapter 60. Standards of Conduct › Article 2. Standards of Conduct. › Sec. 24.60.040. Contracts or leases.

(a) A legislator or legislative employee, or a member of the immediate family of a legislator or legislative employee, may not be a party to or have an interest in a state contract or lease unless the contract or lease is let under AS 36.30 (State Procurement Code) or, for agencies that are not subject to AS 36.30, under similar procedures, or the total annual amount of the state contract or lease is $5,000 or less, or is a standardized contract or lease that was developed under publicly established guidelines and is generally available to the public at large, members of a profession, occupation, or group. A person has an interest in a state contract or lease under this section if the person receives direct or indirect financial benefits. A legislator or legislative employee who participates in, or who knows or reasonably should know that a family member is participating in, a state contract or lease that has an annual value of $5,000 or more shall disclose the participation to the committee by the date required under AS 24.60.105. The committee shall promptly forward the disclosure to the appropriate house for inclusion in the journal, and the presiding officer shall cause the disclosure to be published in the journal or in the supplemental journal not later than the next regularly scheduled publication of ethics disclosures. The legislator or legislative employee shall also disclose the renegotiation of a state contract or lease if the original had to be disclosed under this section or if, as a result of renegotiation, disclosure is required under this section. The disclosure must state the amount of the contract or lease and the name of the state agency issuing the contract or lease and must identify the procedures under which the contract or lease was issued. If the disclosure concerns a contract or lease in which a family member of the discloser is participating, the disclosure must identify the relationship between the participant and the discloser.
(b) This section does not apply to a contract or lease issued under a state program or loan that is subject to AS 24.60.050. A grant that results in a contract but that is not subject to AS 24.60.050 is subject to this section.
(c) In this section, “direct or indirect financial benefits” means income, profits, or other financial benefits under a state contract, without regard to whether the income, profits, or other financial benefits ensue to the person as a partner, shareholder, investor, agent, employee, consultant, or joint venturer of the contractor.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 24. Legislature and Lobbying › Chapter 60. Standards of Conduct › Article 2. Standards of Conduct. › Sec. 24.60.060. Confidential information.

(a) A legislator, legislative employee, or public member of the committee may not knowingly make an unauthorized disclosure of information that is made confidential by law and that the person acquired in the course of official duties. A person who violates this section is subject to a proceeding under AS 24.60.170 and may be subject to prosecution under AS 11.56.860 or another law.
(b) A legislator or legislative employee who is the subject of a complaint under AS 24.60.170 violates this section if the legislator or legislative employee violates a protective order issued under AS 24.60.170(i).
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 24. Legislature and Lobbying › Chapter 60. Standards of Conduct › Article 2. Standards of Conduct. › Sec. 24.60.070. Disclosure of close economic associations.

(a) A legislator or legislative employee shall disclose to the committee, which shall maintain a public record of the disclosure and forward the disclosure to the respective house for inclusion in the journal, the formation or maintenance of a close economic association involving a substantial financial matter with
(1) a supervisor who is not a member of the legislature who has responsibility or authority, either directly or indirectly, over the person's employment, including preparing or reviewing performance evaluations, or granting or approving pay raises or promotions; this paragraph does not apply to a public member of the committee;
(2) legislators;
(3) a public official as that term is defined in AS 39.50;
(4) a registered lobbyist; or
(5) a legislative employee if the person required to make the disclosure is a legislator.
(b) A legislator or legislative employee required to make a disclosure under this section shall make a disclosure by the date set under AS 24.60.105 of the legislator's or legislative employee's close economic associations then in existence. A disclosure under this section must be sufficiently detailed that a reader of the disclosure can ascertain the nature of the association.
(c) When making a disclosure under (a) of this section concerning a relationship with a lobbyist to whom the legislative employee is married or who is the legislative employee's domestic partner, the legislative employee shall also disclose the name and address of each employer of the lobbyist and the total monetary value received by the lobbyist from the lobbyist's employer. The legislative employee shall report changes in the employer of the spouse or domestic partner within 48 hours after the change. In this subsection, “employer of the lobbyist” means the person from whom the lobbyist received amounts or things of value for engaging in lobbying on behalf of the person.
(d) In this section, “close economic association” means a financial relationship that exists between a person covered by this chapter and some other person or entity, including but not limited to relationships where the person covered by this chapter serves as a consultant or advisor to, is a member or representative of, or has a financial interest in, any association, partnership, business, or corporation.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 24. Legislature and Lobbying › Chapter 60. Standards of Conduct › Article 2. Standards of Conduct. › Sec. 24.60.075. Compassionate gift exemption.

(a) Notwithstanding AS 24.45.121 and AS 24.60.080, a person may give a compassionate gift to a legislator or legislative employee, and a legislator or a legislative employee may solicit, receive, or accept a compassionate gift from a person, subject to the limitations in (b) - (e) of this section.
(b) A compassionate gift may not be solicited, accepted, or received unless a written request has been approved in writing by the chair of the legislative council, and the committee chair or vice-chair has approved in writing the decision of the chair of the legislative council.
(c) A legislator or legislative employee who receives a compassionate gift, directly or indirectly, shall disclose to the committee the name of the gift's source and the value of the gift within 30 days after receipt.
(d) In this section, the value of a gift shall be determined by the fair market value of the gift, to the extent that the fair market value can be determined.
(e) In this section, “compassionate gift” means a solicited or unsolicited gift intended to aid or comfort a recipient or a member of the recipient's immediate family in contending with a catastrophe, a tragedy, or a health-related emergency.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 24. Legislature and Lobbying › Chapter 60. Standards of Conduct › Article 2. Standards of Conduct. › Sec. 24.60.085. Restrictions on earned income and honoraria.

(a) A legislator or legislative employee may not
(1) seek or accept compensation for personal services that is significantly greater than the value of the services rendered taking into account the higher rates generally charged by specialists in a profession; or
(2) accept a payment of anything of value, except for actual and necessarily incurred travel expenses, for an appearance or speech by the legislator or legislative employee; this paragraph does not apply to the salary paid to a legislator or legislative employee for making an appearance or speech as part of the legislator's or legislative employee's normal course of employment.
(b) Notwithstanding (a) of this section, a legislator or legislative employee may accept a payment for an appearance or speech if the appearance or speech is not connected with the person's legislative status.
(c) During the term for which elected or appointed, a legislator may not, directly or by authorizing another to act on the legislator's behalf, accept or agree to accept compensation, except from the State of Alaska, for work associated with legislative action, administrative action, or political action. Notwithstanding AS 24.60.990, in this subsection, “administrative action” and “legislative action” have the meanings given in AS 24.45.171.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 24. Legislature and Lobbying › Chapter 60. Standards of Conduct › Article 2. Standards of Conduct. › Sec. 24.60.090. Nepotism.

(a) An individual who is related to a member of the legislature may not be employed for compensation (1) during the legislative session in the house in which the legislator is a member, (2) by an agency of the legislature established under AS 24.20, (3) in either house during the interim between sessions, or (4), whether for compensation or not, by the committee. An individual who is related to a legislative employee may not be employed in a position over which the employee has supervisory authority. In this subsection, “an individual who is related to” means a member of the legislator's or legislative employee's immediate family or a person who is a legislator's or legislative employee's domestic partner living together in a conjugal relationship not a legal marriage with the legislator or legislative employee, and “interim between sessions” means the period beginning on the eighth day after the legislature adjourns from a regular session, and ending eight days before the date that the legislature shall convene under AS 24.05.090.
(b) [Repealed, § 42 ch 127 SLA 1992.]
(c) [Repealed, § 42 ch 127 SLA 1992.]
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 24. Legislature and Lobbying › Chapter 60. Standards of Conduct › Article 2. Standards of Conduct. › Sec. 24.60.100. Representation.

A legislator or legislative employee who represents another person for compensation before an agency, board, or commission of the state shall disclose the name of the person represented, the subject matter of the representation, and the body before which the representation is to take place to the committee. The disclosure shall be made by the deadlines set out in AS 24.60.105. The committee shall maintain a public record of a disclosure under this section and forward the disclosure to the respective house for inclusion in the journal. A legislator or legislative employee may not represent another person for compensation before an agency, committee, or other entity of the legislative branch.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 24. Legislature and Lobbying › Chapter 60. Standards of Conduct › Article 2. Standards of Conduct. › Sec. 24.60.105. Deadlines for filing disclosures; requests to refrain from disclosure.

(a) When a legislator or legislative employee is required to file a disclosure under this chapter and a date by which the disclosure must be filed is not otherwise set by statute, the deadline for filing the disclosure shall be 30 days after the commencement of the matter or interest or the date the legislator or legislative employee first becomes subject to this chapter, whichever comes later.
(b) Disclosures under the following statutes are subject to the deadlines set out in this section:
(1) service on the board of an organization as set out in AS 24.60.030(f);
(2) an interest in a state contract or lease under AS 24.60.040 and the renegotiation of the terms of a state contract or lease that materially affect the obligations of either party;
(3) participation in a state program or receipt of a state loan under AS 24.60.050 and the renegotiation of the terms of the program or loan if the renegotiation materially affects the obligations of either party;
(4) formation or maintenance of a close economic association under AS 24.60.070;
(5) representation of a client under AS 24.60.100.
(c) In addition to the filing requirements under (a) and (b) of this section, the disclosures under (b) of this section shall be made annually, in a report filed with the committee within 30 days after the first day of the regular legislative session.
(d) A person may submit a written request to refrain from making a disclosure that is required by this chapter if making the disclosure would violate state or federal law, including the United States Constitution and the Constitution of the State of Alaska, or a rule, adopted formally by a trade or profession, that state or federal law requires the person to follow. The committee shall approve or deny the request, or require further justification from the person making the request. At the request of the committee or a person authorized to act on behalf of the committee, a person who seeks to refrain from making a disclosure under this subsection shall provide the committee with justification in writing, and the committee may review the written justification to determine whether it is sufficient.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 24. Legislature and Lobbying › Chapter 60. Standards of Conduct › Article 2. Standards of Conduct. › Sec. 24.60.112. Applicability to legislative interns, volunteers, consultants, and independent contractors.

(a) A legislative intern or legislative volunteer shall comply with AS 24.60.030 - 24.60.039, 24.60.060, 24.60.080, 24.60.085, and 24.60.155, and the committee shall apply AS 24.60.158 - 24.60.170, 24.60.176, and 24.60.178 to a legislative intern or legislative volunteer.
(b) A legislative consultant or legislative independent contractor shall comply with AS 24.60.030(a)(1) and (3), 24.60.031(a), 24.60.033, 24.60.060, and 24.60.080(a), (c)(1) - (6), (g), and (j), and the committee shall apply AS 24.60.158 - 24.60.170, 24.60.176, and 24.60.178 to a legislative consultant or legislative independent contractor.
(c) If a person believes that a legislative intern, legislative volunteer, legislative consultant, or legislative independent contractor has violated a provision of this chapter that is made applicable by this section, the person may file a complaint under AS 24.60.170.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 24. Legislature and Lobbying › Chapter 60. Standards of Conduct › Article 2. Standards of Conduct. › Sec. 24.60.115. Disclosure required of a legislator, legislative employee, or public member of the committee after final day of service.

A person serving as a legislator, legislative employee, or public member of the committee shall, not later than 90 days after the person's final day of service as a legislator, legislative employee, or public member, file a final disclosure of every matter or interest, except for a matter or interest subject to disclosure under AS 24.60.200, that was subject to disclosure under this chapter while the person was serving, unless the person previously disclosed the matter or interest and, for that reason, the matter or interest is no longer subject to disclosure. Nothing in this section excuses the filing of a disclosure or report as may be required by another section of this chapter.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 24. Legislature and Lobbying › Chapter 60. Standards of Conduct › Article 3. Legislative Ethics Committee; Opinions; Complaints. › Sec. 24.60.131. Alternate members.

(a) When appointing members of the legislature to serve on the committee under AS 24.60.130(b), the speaker of the house of representatives or the president of the senate, as appropriate, shall appoint an alternate member for each regular member. The alternate member shall have the same qualifications for appointment to the committee as the regular member for whom the alternate stands as alternate. The alternate member's appointment is subject to confirmation as required for appointment of the regular member.
(b) When selecting public members to serve on the committee under AS 24.60.130(b), the Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court shall select one alternate public member. The alternate public member's selection is subject to ratification as required for selection of the regular public members.
(c) Subject to (d) of this section, if a regular member of the committee or a subcommittee is unable to participate in a proceeding other than a proceeding under AS 24.60.170, the chair of the committee or subcommittee that holds the proceeding shall designate the regular member's alternate to participate in place of the regular member at the proceeding, and the alternate shall participate for the duration of that proceeding unless the alternate is unable to participate.
(d) If a regular member of the committee or a subcommittee or an alternate member appointed under (a) or (b) of this section participates at the commencement of a proceeding under AS 24.60.170, the member shall participate for the duration of the proceeding unless the member is disqualified under AS 24.60.130(h) or is unable to continue participating. If the participating member is disqualified under AS 24.60.130(h) or becomes unable to participate, the chair of the committee or subcommittee that holds the proceeding shall designate the member's alternate to participate in place of the member for the duration of the proceeding unless the alternate is disqualified or is unable to participate.
(e) If both a regular legislative member and that member's alternate appointed under (a) of this section are not available to participate at the commencement of a proceeding under AS 24.60.170 because they are disqualified under AS 24.60.130(h), the presiding officer of the house in which the two members serve shall appoint from that house an alternate and designate that alternate to participate in the proceeding; however, if the two members who are not available to participate are not members of the majority organizational caucus, the leader of the minority organizational caucus with the greatest number of members shall appoint from that house an alternate and designate that alternate to participate in the proceeding.
(f) A designation under (c) - (e) of this section shall be treated as confidential to the same extent that the identity of the subject of a complaint is required to be kept confidential.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 24. Legislature and Lobbying › Chapter 60. Standards of Conduct › Article 3. Legislative Ethics Committee; Opinions; Complaints. › Sec. 24.60.134. Prohibited conduct by public members and committee employees and contractors.

(a) Except as provided in (c) of this section, in addition to complying with the other requirements of this chapter, a public member of the committee, an employee of the committee, or a person under contract to provide personal services to the committee may not, during the person's term of office or employment or during the life of the contract, participate in
(1) political management or in a political campaign for a candidate for election to federal, state, or local office, regardless of whether the campaign is partisan or nonpartisan, or for passage or defeat of a ballot measure of any type;
(2) the campaign of, attend campaign fund-raising events for, or make a financial contribution to
(A) a candidate for the legislature;
(B) an incumbent legislator or legislative employee who is a candidate for another public office; or
(C) a person running for another office against an incumbent legislator or legislative employee;
(3) a fund-raising event held on behalf of a political party or attend a political party fund-raising event; or
(4) lobbying activities that would require the person to register as a lobbyist except as required to inform the legislature concerning legislation requested by the committee or other matters related to the committee.
(b) A violation or alleged violation of this section shall be treated as any other violation of this chapter and shall be dealt with by the committee accordingly. During the pendency of a complaint against a member, committee employee, or committee contractor, the person complained against may not participate in official action of the committee.
(c) A person under contract to provide personal services to the committee who does so as part of a sole proprietorship, corporation, partnership, or other legal entity that includes individuals who will not be participating directly in the work performed by the entity for the committee may request the committee to exclude members of the entity from some or all of the provisions of this section. The committee may grant the request if it finds that
(1) doing so will not lead to the appearance that the committee is subject to undue political influence; and
(2) there is no appearance of impropriety.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 24. Legislature and Lobbying › Chapter 60. Standards of Conduct › Article 3. Legislative Ethics Committee; Opinions; Complaints. › Sec. 24.60.140. Authority of the committee and its subcommittees.

(a) The senate subcommittee has authority over proceedings concerning conduct by a member or former member of the senate or a person employed by a member or a committee of the senate.
(b) The house subcommittee has authority over proceedings concerning the conduct by a member or former member of the house or a person employed by a member or a committee of the house.
(c) The full committee has authority
(1) over proceedings concerning the conduct by an employee of an agency of the legislature;
(2) to review any matter arising under this chapter that would result in action being required by both houses of the legislature; and
(3) to issue advisory opinions under AS 24.60.160.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 24. Legislature and Lobbying › Chapter 60. Standards of Conduct › Article 3. Legislative Ethics Committee; Opinions; Complaints. › Sec. 24.60.150. Duties of the committee.

(a) The committee shall
(1) adopt procedures to facilitate the receipt of inquiries and prompt rendition of its opinions;
(2) publish annual summaries of decisions and advisory opinions with sufficient deletions in the summaries to prevent disclosing the identity of the persons involved in the decisions or opinions that have remained confidential;
(3) publish legislative ethics materials, including an annually updated handbook on standards of ethical conduct and a bimonthly legislative newsletter, to help educate legislators, legislative employees, and public members of the committee on the subject of legislative ethics;
(4) within 10 days of the first day of each regular session of the legislature and at other times determined by the committee, administer two types of legislative ethics courses that teach means of compliance with this chapter and are designed to give an understanding of this chapter's purpose under AS 24.60.010; one course, for returning legislators, legislative employees, or public members of the committee, must refresh knowledge and review compliance issues; a separate course shall be designed to give first-time legislators, legislative employees, or public members of the committee a fundamental understanding of this chapter and how to comply with it.
(b) The committee may
(1) recommend legislation to the legislature the committee considers desirable or necessary to promote and maintain high standards of ethical conduct in government;
(2) subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, and take testimony relating to matters before the committee, and may require the production for examination of any books or papers relating to any matter under investigation before the committee.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 24. Legislature and Lobbying › Chapter 60. Standards of Conduct › Article 3. Legislative Ethics Committee; Opinions; Complaints. › Sec. 24.60.155. Legislative ethics course.

(a) A person who is a legislator, legislative employee, public member of the committee, legislative intern, or legislative volunteer shall complete a legislative ethics course administered by the committee under AS 24.60.150(a)(4) within 10 days of the first day of the first regular session of each legislature or, if the person first takes office or begins service after the 10th day of that session, within 30 days after the person takes office or begins service. The committee may grant a person additional time to complete the course required by this section.
(b) A legislative intern or legislative volunteer who serves fewer than 30 days in one legislature is not subject to the requirements under (a) of this section.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 24. Legislature and Lobbying › Chapter 60. Standards of Conduct › Article 3. Legislative Ethics Committee; Opinions; Complaints. › Sec. 24.60.158. Advice by staff.

The committee shall authorize and train its staff to give oral advice and provide a written informal nonbinding advice letter to persons seeking guidance as to the spirit or legal requirements of this chapter, provided that the advice is given with the express stipulations that
(1) the opinions given are not necessarily those of the committee;
(2) although the advice is given in good faith, the person seeking the advice relies on it at the person's own risk; and
(3) the advice is not binding upon the committee.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 24. Legislature and Lobbying › Chapter 60. Standards of Conduct › Article 3. Legislative Ethics Committee; Opinions; Complaints. › Sec. 24.60.160. Advisory opinions.

(a) On the request of the committee, the Alaska Public Offices Commission, a person to whom this chapter applies, or a person who has been newly elected to the legislature, the committee shall issue an advisory opinion within 60 days as to whether the facts and circumstances of a particular case constitute a violation of ethical standards. If it finds that it is advisable to do so, the committee may issue an opinion under this section on the request of a person who reasonably expects to become subject to this chapter within the next 45 days. The 60-day period for issuing an opinion may be extended by the committee if the person requesting the opinion consents.
(b) An opinion issued under this section is binding on the committee in any subsequent proceedings concerning the facts and circumstances of the particular case unless material facts were omitted or misstated in the request for the advisory opinion. An opinion issued under this section must be issued with sufficient deletions to prevent disclosing the identity of the person or persons involved. Advisory opinion discussions and deliberations are confidential, unless the requester and anyone else named in the request who is covered by this chapter waives confidentiality. The committee's final vote on the advisory opinion is a public record.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 24. Legislature and Lobbying › Chapter 60. Standards of Conduct › Article 3. Legislative Ethics Committee; Opinions; Complaints. › Sec. 24.60.165. Use of information submitted with request for advice.

The committee may not bring a complaint against a person based upon information voluntarily given to the committee by the person in connection with a good faith request for advice under AS 24.60.158 or 24.60.160, and may not use that information against the person in a proceeding under AS 24.60.170. This section does not preclude the committee from acting on a complaint concerning the subject of a person's request for advice if the complaint is brought by another person, or if the complaint arises out of conduct taking place after the advice is requested, and does not preclude the committee from using information or evidence obtained from an independent source, even if that information or evidence was also submitted with a request for advice.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 24. Legislature and Lobbying › Chapter 60. Standards of Conduct › Article 3. Legislative Ethics Committee; Opinions; Complaints. › Sec. 24.60.174. Recommendations to the legislature where violator is a legislator.

(a) If the person found to have violated this chapter is or was a member of the legislature, the committee's recommendations shall be forwarded by the chair of the committee to the presiding officer of the appropriate house of the legislature. If the committee recommends sanctions other than expulsion from the legislature, the committee recommendation
(1) must include a suggested timetable for the compliance reports required under (e) of this section, if any; and
(2) may include recommended fines that the legislature may impose if the legislator who was found to have violated this chapter does not comply with the sanctions imposed by the legislature in a timely manner.
(b) If the legislature is in session, the appropriate house shall determine the sanctions, if any, that are to be imposed. The vote shall be taken within 10 legislative days of receipt of the committee's recommendations.
(c) If the legislature is not in session, the presiding officer of the appropriate house may request the legislature to consider convening itself into special session under AS 24.05.100(a)(2) to consider the committee's recommendations. If expulsion is recommended, the presiding officer shall so request. If the legislature does not convene itself into special session, the appropriate house shall consider the recommendations during the first 10 days of the next regular session.
(d) Except in the case of expulsion, which requires a two-thirds vote, all other sanctions shall be determined by a majority vote of the full house of which the legislator is a member.
(e) When a house of the legislature imposes a sanction other than expulsion on a member or former member, it shall advise the committee at the time of imposing the sanction of the terms it has imposed and of the timetable for compliance adopted with the sanctions. A legislator or former legislator on whom sanctions other than expulsion have been imposed shall report to the committee as required by the timetable. If the committee determines that the legislator or former legislator has not complied fully and in a timely manner with the sanctions imposed by the legislature, the committee may recommend that the legislature impose a fine or additional sanctions.