Opinion ID: 2590393
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Commission on Ethics

Text: The Commission on Ethics is charged with investigating and taking appropriate action regarding alleged violations of Nevada ethics laws by public officers and employees as well as former public officers and employees. [1] NRS 281A.280. Prior to the Commission's formation in 1985, two separate ethics commissions existed, one for the legislative branch and one for the executive branch. In 1985, both of those commissions were combined to form the current Commission on Ethics. See Hearing on S.B. 345 Before the Senate Comm. on Government Affairs, 63d Leg. (April 24, 1985) (introducing and explaining the history of the ethics commission and the intention of S.B. 345 to combine the Executive Ethics Commission and the Legislative Ethics Commission into one Commission on Ethics). The Commission is composed of eight membersfour members appointed by the governor and four members appointed by the legislative commission. NRS 281A.200 (appointing Commission members). Pursuant to NRS 281A.280, the Commission has jurisdiction over ethics violations purportedly committed by most public officers. [2] A public officer is defined as a person elected or appointed to a position which is established by the Constitution of the State of Nevada ... and which involves the exercise of a public power, trust or duty. NRS 281A.160(1). NRS 281A.160(1) defines the exercise of a public power, trust, or duty as official actions involving substantial and material exercise of administrative discretion in the formation of public policy, [t]he expenditure of public money, and [t]he administration of laws and rules of the State, a county, or a city. In light of this language, it is clear that, for the purposes of the ethics laws, the term public officer encompasses members of the state senate and the assembly. Under NRS 281A.280(1), the Commission's authority to investigate and take action regarding alleged violations of the ethics laws may be initiated by an individual. Any individual may also request an opinion regarding alleged ethical violations of a public officer. [3] After the Commission has investigated an ethics allegation, the Commission may issue an opinion applying the statutory ethical standards to a given set of facts or circumstances. NRS 281A.440(2). Additionally, if the Commission determines that an ethics violation has been willful, the Commission may impose a civil penalty for such a violation. NRS 281A.480.