CEO 77-165 -- October 24, 1977

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

STATE REPRESENTATIVE CONTACTING CONSTITUENTS

To: Dorothy E. Sample, Representative, 61st District, St. Petersburg

Prepared by: Bonnie Johnson

SUMMARY:

No provision of part III, Ch. 112, F. S., or of s. 8, Art. II, State Const., would be violated were a state representative to make herself available to constituents by means of situating herself on street corners with a sign identifying her presence and availability as their representative. The Commission on Ethics exercises no jurisdiction over state elections laws, however. The Department of State, Division of Elections, should be contacted to determine whether any election laws are applicable to the activity under consideration.

QUESTION:

Would any provision within the state ethics laws be violated were I to make myself available to constituents by means of situating myself on street corners with a sign identifying my presence and availability as their representative?

Your question is answered in the negative.

The standards of conduct for public officers and employees over which this commission exercises jurisdiction are contained in part III, Ch. 112, F. S., and s. 8, Art. II, State Const. In general, these provisions relate to financial disclosure and to the use of public office for private gain. None of these provisions are germane to your proposal to make yourself accessible to your constituents for aid with their legislative concerns.

The Commission on Ethics exercises no advisory jurisdiction over the elections laws. You may wish to contact the Department of State, Division of Elections, to determine whether such laws are applicable to the activity under consideration.