ETHICS MANUAL

pursuant to NRS 281A.290.6

Not more than four members may be from the same county and no more than four members may be from the same political party.  No Commission member may hold another public office nor be actively involved in the work of any political party or political campaign.

Public Policy

NRS 281A.020

Public Officer

NRS 281A.160

NRS 281A150

The Nevada Ethics in Government Law is found in Chapter 281A of the Nevada Revised Statutes. It consist of six sections:

General Provisions

NRS 281A.010 - 281A.170

Commission on Ethics

NRS 281A.200 - 281A.300

Code of Ethical Standards

NRS 281A.400 - 281A.480

Miscellaneous Provisions

NRS 281A.500 - 281A540

Financial Disclosure Statement

NRS 281A.600 - 281A.660
 

"Cooling Off" Standards

NRS 281.236/ NRS 281A.410.1

Gifts

NRS 281A.400.1

Unwarranted privileges

NRS 281A.400.2

Contracting with government

NRS 281A.400.3, 281A.430, 281A.530, NRS 332.800

Private compensation for public duties

NRS 281A.400.4

Private use of confidential information

NRS 281A.400.5

Suppressing information for pecuniary interests

NRS 281.A400.6

Misuse of government resources

NRS 281A.400.7 & 281A.400.8

Improper influence over subordinate

NRS 281A.400.9

Use of position for self-dealing

NRS 281A.400.10

Use of government publication for campaign purposes

NRS 281A.520

 Read the statute for a full understanding.

NRS 281A.510

Any person may file an ethics complaint. The person filing the complaint is the “requester.” The public officer or employee whose conduct is the subject of the complaint is the “subject.” The complaint must be accompanied by evidence which supports the allegation.  The complaint must be submitted to the Commission in proper form. NAC 281.0184 NAC 281.186  The form is available from the Commission’s office or on its website (http://ethics.nv.gov).  The subject receives a copy of the complaint and has an opportunity to respond. The complaint is confidential until after the panel proceedings.

The complaint and record is open for public inspection after the panel proceedings. NRS 281A.440.6

Commission Hearing

The six members of the Commission who did not serve on the two-member Commission panel hear the complaint.  The two members who served on the panel are prohibited from participating in the Commission hearing..  The subject is entitled to be represented by legal counsel, hear and respond to the evidence presented to the Commission, and present evidence on his or her own behalf.  The Commission members question witnesses.  The requester may submit written questions to the executive director, who is required to determine if the submitted questions are relevant and appropriate. The Commission is not required to ask any question submitted by the requester.

No ethics violation.

Ethics violation:  A majority of the Commission members must find, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the public officer or employee violated one or more of the ethical standards or provisions of NRS 281A.

Sanctions

The Commission may impose a civil penalty against the public officer if a majority of Commission members find by a preponderance of the evidence that the ethical violation was “willful.”  The civil penalty may not exceed:

$5,000 for the first willful violation.

$10,000 for a second willful violation.

$25,000 for a third willful violation.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS

Elected officials and certain appointed public officers must file financial disclosure statement annually on or before January 15. http://ethics.nv.gov/forms.

Elected and appointed public officers who are permitted to represent a client for compensation before a state agency must file a Disclosure of Representation form no later than January 15 of each year.

Nevada Commission on Ethics

rev. 12/2007