Alabama Administrative Code Title 345 - ALABAMA ETHICS COMMISSION
Alabama Administrative Code – Title 345: Alabama Ethics Commission
Title 345 of the Alabama Administrative Code governs the Alabama Ethics Commission, which is responsible for administering and enforcing the Alabama Ethics Act. This includes overseeing ethical conduct among public officials and employees, preventing conflicts of interest, enforcing disclosure requirements, and ensuring public accountability in state and local government.
🔹 Key Functions of the Alabama Ethics Commission
Interprets and enforces the Alabama Ethics Law (Code of Alabama §36-25-1 et seq.).
Reviews and investigates alleged ethics violations.
Issues advisory opinions to public officials and employees.
Administers financial disclosure and statement of economic interests filings.
Oversees lobbyist registration and reporting.
🔹 Main Areas Covered Under Title 345
Definitions and Scope
Clarifies who is considered a public official, employee, lobbyist, principal, etc.
Establishes the jurisdiction of the Commission.
Statement of Economic Interests
Filing requirements for public officials, candidates, and certain public employees.
Deadlines and procedures for submission.
Penalties for failure to file.
Lobbyist Regulation
Registration requirements for lobbyists and their employers (principals).
Mandatory reporting of lobbying activities and expenditures.
Restrictions on gifts to public officials.
Advisory Opinions
How individuals may request written guidance from the Commission.
Effect of advisory opinions as a defense in ethics investigations.
Investigations and Hearings
Procedures for receiving and processing complaints.
Confidentiality requirements during investigations.
Hearings, subpoenas, and penalties for violations.
Enforcement and Penalties
Civil fines, criminal penalties, or referrals for prosecution.
Disqualification from holding public office or employment in certain cases.
Ethics Training
Training requirements for public officials and employees.
Approved methods and content of training programs.
🔹 Purpose
The overall goal of Title 345 and the Ethics Commission is to ensure transparency, integrity, and trust in Alabama’s public institutions by preventing corruption, favoritism, and conflicts of interest.
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