CT HB05377

Repeals and replaces Section 1-85 of Connecticut General Statutes effective October 1, 2022 to clarify conflict of interest rules for public officials and state employees regarding non-state employers.

Allows elected state officials with substantial conflicts involving direct monetary gains or losses to their other employer or spouse's employer to proceed with official action if they file a written statement under penalty of false statement explaining their ability to act fairly, objectively, and in the public interest, and submit it to the Office of State Ethics and their agency's journal or minutes.

Amends Section 1-86(a) effective October 1, 2022 to add "employer other than the state" and "employer of the official's or employee's spouse" to the list of financial interests triggering conflict of interest rules for non-elected public officials and state employees.

Requires non-elected state regulatory agency members with potential conflicts to either recuse themselves or file a written statement explaining their ability to act fairly; requires non-regulatory agency employees to report conflicts to their immediate superior or follow Office of State Ethics guidance.

Updates statutory language to use gender-neutral terms replacing "his" and "he" throughout the ethics code provisions.