HB 2164 Summary: Public Corruption Act

• Changes penalty for public officers who have financial interest in contracts from misdemeanor to felony; prohibits convicted officers from holding public office.

• Creates new felony offense for state employees or contractors who corruptly use nonpublic information obtained through government employment for personal gain, speculation, or disclosure; penalties include up to $10,000 fine and 5 years imprisonment.

• Requires ethics training for newly appointed state agency heads and officers by January 1, 2027, with removal from office for failure to complete within one year.

• Establishes conflict of interest disclosure requirements for bidders and sole-source contract recipients regarding business or familial relationships with state agency officers/employees; violations void bids and result in felony charges.

• Prohibits state officers and employees from participating in official matters where they or immediate family members have private economic interests; violations are felony (1-10 years imprisonment) or misdemeanor ($1,000 fine/1 year jail) depending on disclosure; applies effective November 1, 2025.