North Carolina

Introduction

North Carolina is one of 27 states in which no outside agency oversees ethical conduct of state legislators. It is one of 18 of those states where no ethics agency oversees any aspect of disclosure. North Carolina is among seven of those states — including Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Ohio and South Carolina — in which an outside agency is setup to oversee other divisions of government.

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What, if any, ethics agency exists in the state?

North Carolina has the North Carolina Board of Ethics, which is authorized under Executive Order 127, as amended by Executive Order 131. The board administers a personal economic disclosure program covering employees and appointees of the Executive Branch, including state agencies under the jurisdiction of the Governor.
Jurisdiction does not extend to legislators.
http://www.doa.state.nc.us/doa/ethics/

If the above agency does not oversee legislators, is legislative oversight defined in statute?

Yes. North Carolina also has the Legislative Ethics Committee, which is enabled by the NC General Statute Chapter 120, Article 14, Part 3 (120-99). The committee is made up of ten members — five senators and five house members.
http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/statutes/generalstatutes/html/bychapter/chapter%5F120.html

Are there state statutes that address ethical conduct for legislators?

Yes. The “Legislative Ethics Act,” NC General Statute Chapter 120, Article 14 (120-85 through 106), applies to legislators.
http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/statutes/generalstatutes/html/bychapter/chapter%5F120.html

When were the ethics statutes enacted?

1975

Where do legislators file outside interest disclosures?

Same agency where candidacy is filed. See Info Resources.

Where do legislators file campaign finance disclosures?

North Carolina State Board of Elections
http://www.sboe.state.nc.us/

Where are lobbying disclosures filed?

North Carolina Department of Secretary of State, Lobbyist Registration
http://www.secretary.state.nc.us/lobbyists/

Note: Some information provided by the Council on Governmental Ethics Laws’ “Ethics Update” 2000. For more information or to purchase the reference, visit www.cogel.org.