CEO 76-160 -- September 13, 1976

CITIZENS ZONING SUBCOMMITTEE

APPLICABILITY OF DISCLOSURE LAW TO MEMBERS

To: (Name withheld at the person's request.)

Prepared by: Roger Merriam

QUESTION:

Are the members of a citizens zoning subcommittee, created to advise and assist in changing and making amendments to permitted zoning uses, local officers and therefore required to file statements of financial interest on an annual basis?

Your question is answered in the affirmative.

You state in your letter of inquiry that the ____ City Council has appointed a ____ Citizen's Zoning Subcommittee to advise and assist the ____ County Planning Commission and City Council as to changes and amendments to the city zoning code. It is our further understanding that the appointment of the subcommittee is in compliance with the ____ County Local Government Comprehensive Planning Act of 1975, commonly known as the Little ELMS.

Please find enclosed a copy of a recent opinion of this commission, CEO 76-156, which addresses the question of disclosure requirements for members of another advisory body created pursuant to Little ELMS. The rationale employed in the response of this opinion is equally applicable to the question you pose, which is answered accordingly in the affirmative.