2005 Connecticut Code - Sec. 1-92. Duties of commission. Regulations. Advisory opinions.

      Sec. 1-92. Duties of commission. Regulations. Advisory opinions. The commission shall:

      (1) Adopt regulations in accordance with chapter 54 to carry out the purposes of this part. Not later than January 1, 1992, the commission shall adopt regulations which further clarify the meaning of the terms "directly and personally received" and "major life event", as used in subsection (e) of section 1-79 and subsection (g) of section 1-91;

      (2) Compile and maintain an index of all reports and statements filed with the commission under the provisions of this part and advisory opinions issued by the commission with regard to the requirements of this part, to facilitate public access to such reports, statements and advisory opinions promptly upon the filing or issuance thereof;

      (3) Prepare quarterly and annual summaries of statements and reports filed with the commission and advisory opinions issued by the commission;

      (4) Preserve advisory opinions permanently; preserve memoranda filed under subsection (f) of section 1-93a, statements and reports filed by and with the commission for a period of five years from the date of receipt;

      (5) Upon the concurring vote of five of its members, issue advisory opinions with regard to the requirements of this part, upon the request of any person, subject to the provisions of this part, and publish such advisory opinions in the Connecticut Law Journal. Advisory opinions rendered by the commission, until amended or revoked, shall be binding on the commission and shall be deemed to be final decisions of the commission for purposes of section 1-98. Any advisory opinion concerning any person subject to the provisions of this part who requested the opinion and who acted in reliance thereon, in good faith, shall be binding upon the commission, and it shall be an absolute defense in any criminal action brought under the provisions of this part that the accused acted in reliance upon such advisory opinion;

      (6) Report annually, prior to February fifteenth, to the Governor summarizing the activities of the commission;

      (7) Employ necessary staff within available appropriations.

      (P.A. 77-605, S. 3, 21; P.A. 79-615, S. 2, 10; P.A. 83-493, S. 4, 5; P.A. 84-52, S. 7; P.A. 86-403, S. 95, 132: P.A. 89-97, S. 3, 7; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-1, S. 5; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-6, S. 10, 14; P.A. 04-204, S. 6.)

      History: P.A. 79-615 required concurring vote of four members for issuance of advisory opinion; P.A. 83-493 amended section to provide that advisory opinions shall be deemed to be final decisions of the commission for purposes of Sec. 1-98; P.A. 84-52 made technical amendment to reflect relettering of subsections in Sec. 1-93; P.A. 86-403 made technical changes; P.A. 89-97 amended Subdiv. (1) by deleting language specifying regulations as those necessary to establish procedures and forms; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-1 amended Subdiv. (1) to require regulations clarifying "directly and personally received" and "major life event"; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-6 amended Subdivs. (2) and (3) to add to the list of items the commission must compile and maintain and prepare summaries of, advisory opinions issued by the commission, effective January 1, 1998; P.A. 04-204 amended Subdiv. (5) to increase vote required for issuance of advisory opinion from four to five members, effective June 3, 2004.

      See Sec. 1-80 re State Ethics Commission generally.

      See Sec. 1-81 re commission's duties with regard to public officials.