Title III, Executive Branch

This chapter may be cited as the "Executive Branch Code of Ethics."

(1) It is the public policy of this Commonwealth that a public servant shall work for the benefit of the people of the Commonwealth. The principles of ethical behavior contained in this chapter recognize that public office is a public trust and that the proper operation of democr…

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) "Business" means any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, limited partnership, sole proprietorship, firm, enterprise, franchise, association, organization, self-employed individual, holding compan…

code of ethics. An agency that is directed by statute to adopt a code of ethics shall be exempt from KRS Chapter 11A upon the effective date of an Act of the General Assembly creating the agency's code of ethics or upon the effective date of an administrative regulation that crea…

The Governor shall have the use of the mansion and the furniture therein and premises, free of rent, but the purchase of furniture for the mansion shall be upon the recommendation of the secretary of the Finance and Administration Cabinet and in accordance with KRS Chapter 42.

of personal or private interest. (1) No public servant, by himself or through others, shall knowingly: (a) Use or attempt to use his influence in any matter which involves a substantial conflict between his personal or private interest and his duties in the public interest; (b) U…

trust fund -- Separate trust fund. (1) As used in this section, "state curator" means the director of the Division of Historic Properties within the Department for Facilities and Support Services in the Finance and Administration Cabinet with responsibilities for the preservation…

removal or installation of permanent displays in New State Capitol rotunda. (1) The commission shall meet at least every six (6) months and when called into session by the chairman at the request of the Governor, of any two (2) or more members of the commission, or on his own mot…

McConnell. (1) Pursuant to KRS 11.026(1), if a statue, monument, or object of art is privately funded and created depicting or representing United States Senator Addison Mitchell McConnell, and that statue, monument, or object of art is offered to the Commonwealth of Kentucky as …

-- Advisory opinion. In determining whether to abstain from action on an official decision because of a possible conflict of interest, a public servant should consider the following guidelines: (1) Whether a substantial threat to his independence of judgment has been created by h…

(1) As used in this section: (a) "Resident of Kentucky" means an individual who resides in the Commonwealth of Kentucky or an entity that manufactures, produces, or otherwise makes goods within the Commonwealth; and (b) "Products made in the United States" means goods manufacture…

(1) A public servant, in order to further his or her own economic interests, or those of any other person, shall not knowingly disclose or use confidential information acquired in the course of his or her official duties. (2) A public servant shall not knowingly receive, directly…

Executive Cabinet. (1) The Governor may appoint such persons as he deems necessary for the proper operation of his office to perform such duties as the Governor may require of them. The persons so appointed shall hold office at the pleasure of the Governor. None of the provisions…

circumstances. (1) No public servant, his spouse, or dependent child knowingly shall accept any gifts or gratuities, including travel expenses, meals, alcoholic beverages, and honoraria, totaling a value greater than twenty-five dollars ($25) in a single calendar year from any pe…

power and continuity in conduct of state government -- Executive Branch Ethics Commission to establish in administrative regulations standards of ethical conduct for transition team members -- Access to and confidentiality of nonpublic information -- Disclosure of positions held …

(1) Each officer, each public servant listed in KRS 11A.010(9)(a) to (g), and each candidate shall file a statement of financial disclosure with the commission, as follows: (a) Each officer shall file the statement within thirty (30) days of employment as an officer, and each off…

requirements of chapter for nonprofit charitable organization. (1) Any provision of KRS Chapter 11A to the contrary notwithstanding, a state agency or a public servant may raise funds, either individually or as a department or agency, for a charitable nonprofit organization grant…

Compensation -- Removal -- Meetings. (1) The Executive Branch Ethics Commission is hereby established. (2) The commission shall be composed of seven (7) members, two (2) of whom shall be appointed by the Governor. Each of the following shall appoint one (1) member of the commissi…

(1) The heads of the constitutional and statutory administrative departments and program cabinet secretaries enumerated in KRS 12.020 shall constitute the Governor's General Cabinet, which shall meet upon the call of the Governor. The Governor shall be the chairman and the Govern…

(1) The secretaries of the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, the Education and Labor Cabinet, the Public Protection Cabinet, the Transportation Cabinet, the Cabinet for Economic Development, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, the Finance and Administration Cabinet, the …

responsibilities -- Tax expenditure analysis. (1) There is created an agency of state government known as the Office of State Budget Director. The office shall be attached for administrative purposes to the Office of the Governor. (2) The office shall include the following major …

The Governor may employ reputable, qualified, experienced auditors, accountants, clerks, bookkeepers and any other skilled or professional services to perform any service which the Governor deems proper and may direct.

facilities of state agencies. The commission may employ an executive director and any other employees, agents, and consultants it considers necessary, and may prescribe their duties, fix their compensation, and provide for reimbursement of their expenses within the amount availab…

As used in KRS 11.090 to 11.110, "agency" includes any department, program cabinet, institution, board, commission, office or agency of the state.

(1) (a) Upon a complaint signed under penalty of perjury by any person, or upon its own motion, the commission shall conduct a preliminary investigation of any alleged violation of this chapter. (b) The preliminary investigation shall begin not later than ten (10) days after the …

For the purpose of carrying out a preliminary investigation, the commission may issue subpoenas to compel the attendance and testimony of witnesses or the production of documents, books, papers, or other records. Subpoenas may be issued by the chairman or the majority of the memb…

The Governor may, at any time, cause to be made a comprehensive and complete audit, study or survey of any agency of the state. The audit, study or survey shall extend back over such period of time as the Governor deems necessary to reveal the true financial condition of the agen…

(1) The provisions of KRS Chapter 13B shall apply to all commission administrative hearings, except for the provisions of: (a) KRS 13B.030(2)(b); (b) KRS 13B.050(1), (2), and (3) when a party fails to file an answer or otherwise participate; and (c) KRS 13B.090(7). (2) All admini…

Any person employed by the Governor under the provisions of KRS 11.070 may, when authorized in writing by the Governor, require information on oath of any person touching any matter relative to any account which he is required to examine, study or audit. Any person having such wr…

The commission shall perform the following additional duties: (1) On its own initiative or upon a signed request in writing, issue and publish advisory opinions on the requirements of this chapter for those who wish to use the opinion to guide their own conduct. If requested in w…

The Governor shall fix the compensation of persons employed by him under the provisions of KRS 11.040 and 11.070. If the services of the persons employed are rendered in or to any particular agency, their compensation and expenses may be charged to and paid out of the appropriati…

Nothing in KRS 11A.001 to 11A.110 shall prohibit or restrict a public servant from accepting outside employment in a state institution of higher education as long as that outside employment does not interfere or conflict with the public servant's state employment duties. Nothing …

The Governor and the Lieutenant Governor shall not engage in the practice of law during their terms of office.

operator. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit an officer or public servant employed by an agency that is privatized from accepting employment from the person or business which is operating that agency if the officer or public servant was not involved in making …

The Governor is expressly authorized to negotiate with the appropriate authorities of Indiana, Ohio, or Illinois and to ratify any agreements with Indiana, Ohio, or Illinois, including but not limited to any agreements governing the registration of motor boats or the operation, e…

Governor or other appointing authority. (1) When a statute specifically requires Senate confirmation of an appointment by the Governor or by other appointing authority, the appointment shall be handled in the following manner: (a) All names of persons nominated when the General A…

information -- Annual report to Commission on Small Business Innovation and Advocacy. (1) Each cabinet secretary on the Governor's Executive Cabinet, established pursuant to KRS 11.065, shall designate a small business ombudsman from among their respective existing cabinet employ…

Membership -- Meetings -- Chief executive officer. (1) There is created the Commission on Small Business Innovation and Advocacy. The commission shall be a separate administrative body of state government within the meaning of KRS 12.010(8). (2) It shall be the purpose of the Com…

April 1, 2021) As used in KRS 11A.201 to 11A.246 and KRS 11A.990: (1) "Compensation" means any money, thing of value, or economic benefit conferred on, or received by, any person in return for services rendered, or to be rendered, by himself or another; (2) (a) "Expenditure" mean…

Annual reports. (1) The duties of the Commission on Small Business Innovation and Advocacy shall include but not be limited to: (a) Coordinate and promote the awareness of the Federal Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, and its subsequent amendments within…

parties in interest. (1) An executive agency lobbyist, employer, or real party in interest shall not knowingly fail to register as required under KRS 11A.211. (2) An executive agency lobbyist, employer, or real party in interest shall not knowingly fail to keep a receipt or maint…

As used in KRS 11.210 to 11.260, "Governor-elect" means the person who is the apparent successful candidate for the office of Governor, as ascertained by the Secretary of State following the general election.

and real parties in interest -- Fee -- Trust and agency account for commission operations -- Relationship of registration to state contracts. (1) Each executive agency lobbyist, employer, and real party in interest shall file with the commission within ten (10) days following the…

(1) Each executive agency lobbyist, employer, and real party in interest shall file with the commission, with the updated registration statement required by KRS 11A.211(2), a statement of expenditures as specified in subsections (2) and (3) of this section. An executive agency lo…

The General Assembly declares it to be the purpose of KRS 11.210 to 11.260 to promote the orderly transfer of the executive power in connection with the expiration of the term of office of a governor and the inauguration of a new governor. The interest of the Commonwealth require…

(1) Any executive agency lobbyist who has had any financial transaction with, or for the benefit of, an elected executive official, the secretary of a cabinet listed in KRS 12.250, an executive agency official, or any member of the staff of any of those officials shall describe t…

statements of financial transactions. (1) If a dispute arises between an elected executive official, the secretary of a cabinet listed in KRS 12.250, an executive agency official, or any member of the staff of any of those officials and a real party in interest, an employer, or a…

The secretary of the Finance and Administration Cabinet is authorized to provide, upon request, to each Governor-elect, for use in connection with his preparations for the assumption of official duties as Governor, necessary services and facilities, including suitable office spac…

(1) KRS 11A.211 and 11A.216 do not apply to efforts to influence executive agency decisions or conduct executive agency lobbying activity by any of the following: (a) Appearances at public hearings of the committees or interim committees of the General Assembly, at court proceedi…

statement by beneficiary. (1) For purposes of KRS 11A.201 to 11A.246, the term "executive agency lobbyist" does not include a person acting to promote, oppose, or otherwise influence the outcome of a decision of the Cabinet for Economic Development or any board or authority withi…