SB 361 - Revising the State Codes of Ethics

• Expands the definition of "public official" to include the spouse of the Governor and members or directors of quasi-public agencies, and clarifies that judges and advisory board members are excluded from the definition.

• Adds "confidential information" as a defined term covering information required to be withheld under state or federal law, regulation, or court order, or information permissibly nondisclosable under the Freedom of Information Act.

• Strengthens ethics enforcement by allowing the ethics enforcement officer to represent the Office of State Ethics before Superior Court in appeals, and requiring board members to have reviewed hearing records or been physically present to vote on violations (unless determined competent by the judge trial referee after reviewing the record).

• Expands conflict-of-interest restrictions to quasi-public agencies and consultants, and broadens the definition of "business with which he is associated" to include secondary businesses held by associated entities.

• Modifies gift restrictions by requiring public officials and state employees to affirmatively solicit or knowingly accept gifts (rather than simply accepting), allows reimbursement for event participation expenses if filed within 30 days, and extends the registrant expense reporting deadline from 30 to 45 days.

• All changes effective October 1, 2016.