§ 3-6-117. Exclusive Authority to Issue Formal Advisory Opinions
The commission is the only entity authorized to issue formal advisory opinions. All opinions that deal with any statutory provision or provisions that are in any way subject to interpretation, unclear or uncertain, or subject to dispute as to their meaning or application are formal advisory opinions. With respect to an issue addressed in a […]
§ 3-6-105. Jurisdiction of Commission — Referral of Complaints
The Tennessee ethics commission is vested with jurisdiction to administer and enforce this chapter, §§ 2-10-115 and 2-10-122 — 2-10-130, and title 8, chapter 50, part 5. In addition to the jurisdiction vested in subsection (a), with respect to members of the general assembly, the commission also has jurisdiction to investigate, in accordance with § […]
§ 3-6-106. Duties of the Commission and the Attorney General and Reporter
The duties of the Tennessee ethics commission include the following: Recommend guiding principles of ethical conduct for consideration and adoption by the legislative or executive branches. The commission shall publish the guiding principles on the commission’s web site. Guiding principles of ethical conduct may be recommended for each of the following classifications: Members of the […]
§ 3-6-107. Powers of the Commission
The Tennessee ethics commission possesses power to: Subpoena witnesses, compel their attendance and testimony, conduct audits, administer oaths, take evidence and require, by subpoena duces tecum, the production of books, papers, records or other evidence needed for the performance of the commission’s duties or exercise of its powers, including its duties and powers of investigation; […]
§ 3-6-108. Prospective Application of Chapter
For the purposes of enforcement, this chapter shall be prospective only, and the Tennessee ethics commission shall limit its investigations to acts or omissions that occur on or after October 1, 2006.
§ 3-6-109. Referral of Criminal Violations to Law Enforcement
Where the results of an investigation indicate a criminal violation has occurred, the commission shall refer the matter to the appropriate law enforcement agency.
§ 3-6-110. Authority to Petition for an Order of Enforcement
The Tennessee ethics commission has the authority to petition the chancery court, through the attorney general and reporter or its own legal counsel, for enforcement of any order it has issued. The court’s order of enforcement has the same force and effect as a civil judgment.
§ 3-6-112. Annual Ethics Course for Supervisory Personnel in the Executive Branch — Manuals and Guides
The Tennessee ethics commission shall provide an annual ethics course concerning compliance with the laws administered and enforced by the commission for supervisory personnel in the executive branch of state government. The commission shall notify administrative departments and divisions in advance of the time and location of the course. The course may be offered on […]
§ 3-6-113. Annual Orientation Ethics Course and Current Issues Course for Members of the General Assembly — Manuals and Guides
The Tennessee ethics commission shall provide an annual orientation ethics course concerning compliance with the laws administered and enforced by the commission for members of the general assembly who have not yet taken the orientation ethics course and shall offer an annual current issues course for members of the general assembly who have taken the […]
§ 3-6-114. Annual Ethics Course for Lobbyists and Employers of Lobbyists — Manuals and Guides
The Tennessee ethics commission shall provide an annual ethics course on multiple dates, both when the general assembly is in session and when the general assembly is not in session for both lobbyists and employers of lobbyists. The training may be offered electronically. Training shall include, but not be limited to, laws administered and enforced […]