Ethics Commission Rules Update, Blackwell Settlement Agreement, FY 20 Budget Request
During its meeting today, the Ethics Commission voted to send its adopted Amendments to the Oklahoma Ethics Rules to the Legislature and Governor on the second day of legislative session. The following proposed changes to the Ethics Rules will be provided:
- 2019-01. ADOPTED January 11, 2019. Sponsored by Commissioner Laster. This amendment defines "coordination or coordinated" for purposes of determining what activities will and will not be considered contributions.
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2019-03. ADOPTED September 14, 2018. Sponsored by Commissioner Hawkins. This amendment requires an elected officer or chief administrative officer of a state agency to wait 2 years prior to lobbying or otherwise attempting to influence state activity (contracts, licensure, disciplinary activity etc.)
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2019-04. ADOPTED January 11, 2019. Sponsored by Commissioner Laster. Amends the campaign finance rules regarding candidate interaction with political action committees.
Amendment 2019-02, regarding Indirect Lobbying, was not voted on and will not be included as one of the Rule changes submitted to the legislature.
Settlement Agreement Approved
During its meeting today, the Ethics Commission entered into a settlement agreement to settle Case No. 2016-01 and Oklahoma Ethics Commission v. Blackwell, et al., Case No. CJ-2016-2342, in the District Court of Oklahoma County, State of Oklahoma.
In Re Gus Blackwell and Friends of Gus Blackwell 2012, Case No. 2016-01. Mr. Blackwell will pay $25,000 to the General Revenue Fund of the State of Oklahoma and $6,000 to the Ethics Commission for attorneys fees and costs within 60 days of this agreement to settle both Case No. 2016 -01 and the lawsuit filed by the Commission.
The lawsuit alleged Blackwell converted campaign funds to personal use, failed to report monetary contributions to the Commission, failed to report expenditures to the Commission, filed false contribution and expenditure reports with the Commission and submitted false mileage logs to the Commission. The settlement is entered to avoid the cost and uncertainty of litigation and does not include an admission of liability by Blackwell.
FY 2020 Budget Request
On Wednesday, the Director of the Commission presented its FY 20 budget request to the appropriations subcommittees of the House of Representatives and Senate.
The request included: (1) funding for two new departments: an Information Technology Department and an Open Government Department; (2) funding to fill the Deputy Director position which has been vacant since July 1, 2016; and (3) additional funds for Compliance and Enforcement efforts.
The slides for the presentation are on the Commission's website and may accessed by clicking the picture above.
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Next Meeting: March 8, 2019
The Commission will hold its next regular meeting on Friday, March 8, 2019 at 10:00 a.m., in Room 432-A of the State Capitol Building at 2300 N. Lincoln, Boulevard, Oklahoma City, OK 73105.
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