Press Release

Proposed Ethics Regulations Issued for Public Comment

December 8, 2009

Anchorage, Alaska - The Department of Law has issued for public comment proposed new regulations under the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act. 

"These regulations will provide guidance supporting the continued effective administration of the ethics act," said Attorney General Dan Sullivan.

The proposed regulations address several subjects, including standards governing the payment of travel expenses for family members of the governor, as recommended by independent counsel last February. If adopted, the regulations also will provide guidance to ethics supervisors for determining when a public officer's incidental use of state equipment, such as cell phones, is presumed insignificant, as requested by the commissioner of the Department of Administration.

Also proposed are procedures for payment of attorney fees for public officers who are exonerated of alleged ethics violations, as addressed in the attorney general's Aug. 5 written opinion on ethics issues.

Assistant Attorney General Judy Bockmon, who serves as state ethics attorney, said:  "We encourage the public to provide input on these proposed changes."

A public hearing will be held on Jan. 6 in Anchorage to take oral comments. Written comments may be submitted through Jan. 22. The hearing notice and proposed regulations are posted on the Department of Law's ethics webpage and on the Alaska Online Public Notice System.

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Department Media Contacts: Communications Director Patty Sullivan at patty.sullivan@alaska.gov or (907) 269-6368. Information Officer Sam Curtis at sam.curtis@alaska.gov or (907) 269-6269.