§ 3-6-202. Confidentiality — Public Disclosure
The members and staff of the Tennessee ethics commission shall preserve the confidentiality of all commission proceedings, including records relating to a preliminary investigation. Such records shall be exempt from the provisions of title 10, chapter 7 and shall be confidential until: The alleged violator requests in writing that the investigation and associated records and […]
§ 3-6-203. Preliminary Investigation — Referral of Sufficient Complaint to Attorney General — Presentation of Evidence on Probable Cause — Determination of Probable Cause — Public Hearing
The commission shall initiate a preliminary investigation of each sworn complaint that complies with § 3-6-201. If the commission determines that the sworn complaint does not comply with § 3-6-201, then the commission shall dismiss the complaint and notify the complainant. In the notification sent to the complainant, the commission shall state with particularity why […]
§ 3-6-204. Subpoena Power — Fees — Judicial Review — Procedure
The Tennessee ethics commission, on its own motion or at the request of the alleged violator, may issue subpoenas in accordance with the Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure, except that service may be by certified mail, in addition to the means of service provided by the Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure. Witnesses under subpoena shall […]
§ 3-6-205. Penalties
The Tennessee ethics commission may impose a civil penalty for a violation of title 8, chapter 50, part 5. “Class 1 offense” means the late filing of any report or statement required by title 8, chapter 50, part 5. A Class 1 offense shall be punishable by a civil penalty of not more than twenty-five […]
§ 3-6-206. Register of Unpaid Penalties — Effect of Unpaid Penalties
The Tennessee ethics commission shall maintain a register of all civil penalties imposed under this chapter and remaining unpaid. If a civil penalty lawfully assessed and any lawfully assessed cost attendant to the penalty are not paid within thirty (30) days after the assessment becomes final, any candidate owing a civil penalty shall be ineligible […]
§ 3-6-207. Misuse of Office for Personal Gain by General Assembly Member
Notwithstanding § 3-6-203, if the commission determines that probable cause exists to believe that a member of the general assembly has committed an act constituting misuse of office for personal financial gain, then, except as otherwise provided in § 3-6-306(a)(3), no civil penalty shall be imposed and the commission shall instead report its determination and […]
§ 3-6-208. Sanctions for Unsubstantiated Complaints — Immunity
If the commission determines that a person: Filed a complaint or provided information that resulted in an investigation knowing that the material statements in the complaint or the information provided was not true; Filed an unsubstantiated complaint in reckless disregard of the truth or falsity of the statements contained in the complaint; or Filed one […]
§ 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 […]