2. MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE
2:1. a. No member of the Legislature shall undertake any employment or act in any way that impairs the objectivity or independence of judgment of the member of the Legislature in the exercise of his or her duties or is violative of the public trust by an elected official or which creates a justifiable impression among the public that such trust is being violated (C. 52:13D-12 and 52:13D-23).
b. No member of the Legislature shall accept from any person, directly or indirectly, whether by himself or through his spouse or a member of his family or through any partner or business or professional associate, any gift, favor, service, employment or offer of employment or any other thing of value, which he knows or has reason to believe is made or offered to him with the intent to influence him in the performance of his duties as a member of the Senate or General Assembly; but this section shall not apply to the acceptance of contributions to his campaign by a member of the Legislature who has announced his candidacy for any elective public office and the member has no knowledge or reason to believe that the campaign contribution is offered or given with the intent to influence the member in the performance of his public duties and responsibilities (C. 52:13D-14).
2:2. Except as hereinafter provided in sections 2:3 and 2:4, no member of the Legislature nor any partnership or firm of which he is a member or any corporation in which he owns or controls an interest, nor any partner, officer or employee of any such partnership, firm or corporation, shall represent, appear for, or negotiate on behalf of, or agree to represent, appear for, or negotiate on behalf of, any person or party other than the State in connection with:
a. The acquisition or sale by the State or a State agency of any interest in real or tangible or intangible personal property (C. 52:13D-15);
b. The acquisition by the State or a State agency of any interest in real property by condemnation proceedings (C. 52:13D-15);
c. Any specific cause, proceeding, application or other matter before any State agency (C. 52:13D-16).
2:3. a. The provisions of section 2:2 above shall not prohibit or restrict a member of the Legislature from:
(1) Representing himself in negotiations or proceedings concerning his own interest in real property, or
(2) Making an inquiry of a State agency for information on behalf of a constituent, if no fee, reward or other thing of value is promised or given to, or accepted directly or indirectly by, the member therefor.
b. The provisions of section 2:2 above shall not prohibit or restrict a partnership or firm with which a member of the Legislature is associated or a corporation in which he owns or controls an interest from appearing before a State agency in any cause, proceeding or other matter on its own behalf (C. 52:13D-16).
2:4. A member of the Legislature is authorized to represent, appear for or negotiate on behalf of, or agree so to do, any person other than the State in any proceeding before:
a. Any court of record;
b. The Division of Workers' Compensation;
c. The Division of Taxation in connection with the determination or review of transfer inheritance or estate taxes;
d. The Department of State in connection with the filing of corporate or other documents;
e. The Division on Civil Rights;
f. The New Jersey Board of Mediation;
g. The New Jersey Public Employment Relations Commission;
h. The Unsatisfied Claim and Judgment Fund Board, solely for the purpose of filing a protective notice of intention pursuant to P.L. 1952, c. 174, s.5 (C. 39:6-65);
i. A State agency, other than the Legislature or any agency thereof, on behalf of a county, municipality or school district, or any authority, agency or commission of any thereof, except where the State is an adverse party in the cause, action or proceeding. The State shall not be considered an "adverse party" in a cause, action or proceeding where joinder of the State or a State agency as a party is required by law, court rule or order to protect possible incidental interests of the State (C. 52:13D-16).
2:5. Prior approval of the Joint Legislative Committee on Ethical Standards shall be obtained for a member of the Legislature, individually, through a partnership or firm with which he is associated or by a corporation in which he owns or controls an interest, to bid on and to accept awards of contracts let or awarded by a State agency where the dollar value thereof is $25.00 or more.
Where approval is desired to bid on and, if successful, to accept and undertake contracts to be awarded by a State agency after public notice and competitive bidding or to negotiate, accept and execute contracts of the types enumerated in P.L. 1954, c. 48, s. 5 (C. 52:34-10) awarded without advertising with the approval of the State Treasurer or contracts of insurance to be entered into pursuant to P.L. 1944, c. 112, s. 10 (C. 52:27B-62), an application to, and approval by, the joint committee may be made for a period not in excess of the elective term of the member of the Legislature.
Upon the award of a contract by a State agency to a member of the Legislature, his partnership or firm or corporation described in this section he shall file with the joint committee a notice of the award, the name of the State agency involved and the dollar amount of the contract. Any amendment or change order to any such contract involving a change in the dollar amount involved shall likewise be reported to the joint committee (C. 52:13D-19).
Within 15 days of receipt by the joint committee of a request by a member of the Legislature for approval to bid on or negotiate a State agency contract or contracts or notice of the award of a State agency contract or amendment of or change order to an approved State agency contract, the joint committee shall notify the member of its approval, disapproval or the time and place of a meeting to discuss the matter with the member. Any request so submitted to the joint committee shall be deemed to be approved after the expiration of 15 days from the receipt thereof unless the joint committee shall otherwise advise the member in writing.
2:6. A member of the Legislature shall not act as an agent of the Legislature, either House thereof or agency in the legislative branch in connection with the transaction of any business with himself or with a corporation, company, association or firm in which he owns or controls an interest in its profits (C. 52:13D-20).
2:7. Any member of the Legislature who engages in the conduct or practice of, or is employed in, a particular business, profession, trade or occupation which is subject to licensing or regulation by a particular State agency shall file a notice that he is the holder of a particular license or is engaged or employed in such activity with the Joint Legislative Committee on Ethical Standards within 60 days of the adoption of this code and, thereafter, within 10 days of such holding, engagement, employment, or service. Renewal of licenses need not be reported (C. 52:13D-23(e)(2)).
2:8. a. No member of the Legislature, nor any member of his immediate family, nor any partnership, firm or corporation with which he is associated in any capacity, shall appear or practice in any capacity representing any person, firm, corporation or association before the Casino Control Commission or the Division of Gaming Enforcement.
b. No member of the Legislature, nor any member of his immediate family, nor any partnership, firm or corporation with which he is associated as an officer, director, employee or holder of an interest or less than an interest, as defined in section 1:1 of this code, shall represent, appear for, or negotiate on behalf of, the holder of, or applicant for, a casino license, or any holding or intermediary company with respect thereto, as the same are defined in the Casino Control Act.
c. No member of the Legislature, or any firm with which he is associated as an officer, director or holder of an interest, as defined in section 1:1 of this code, shall represent, appear for, or negotiate on behalf of, any person, firm, corporation or association with respect to any transaction between such person, firm, corporation or association and the holder of, or applicant for, a casino license, or any holding or intermediary company with respect thereto, as the same are defined in the Casino Control Act. A member of the Legislature who is an employee of, or who is the holder of less than an interest, as defined in section 1:1 of this code, in, any firm which represents, appears for, or negotiates on behalf of, any person, firm, corporation, or association with respect to any transaction between such person, firm, corporation or association and the holder of, or applicant for, a casino license, or any holding or intermediary company with respect thereto, as the same are defined in the Casino Control Act, shall, within 60 days of the adoption of this code and, thereafter, within 10 days of such representation, appearance, or negotiation, file a statement with the Joint Legislative Committee on Ethical Standards so indicating. If such statement is properly and timely filed, such employment or holding shall not, in and of itself and without more, be considered a "personal interest" for purposes of section 2:9 of this code, although the filing of such statement shall not relieve a member of the Legislature who shall have a personal interest in any legislation from complying with the requirements of section 2:9.
d. No member of the Legislature, nor any member of his immediate family, nor any partnership, firm or corporation with which he is associated as an officer, director, or holder of an interest, as defined in section 1:1 of this code, shall be an officer, director, employee, or holder of an interest, as defined in section 1:1 of this code, in any firm, corporation, or association, or holding or intermediary company with respect thereto, as the same are defined in the Casino Control Act, which is the holder of, or an applicant for, a casino license. A member of the Legislature who is the holder of less than an interest, as defined in section 1:1 of this code, in any firm, corporation, or association, or any holding or intermediary company with respect thereto, which is the holder of, or an applicant for, a casino license; or who is associated as an officer or director with any firm which is the holder of less than an interest, as defined in section 1:1 of this code, in any firm, corporation, or association, or any holding or intermediary company with respect thereto, which is the holder of, or an applicant for, a casino license; or who is an employee of any firm which is the holder of an interest or less than an interest, as defined in section 1:1 of this code, in any firm, corporation, or association, or holding or intermediary company with respect thereto, which is the holder of, or an applicant for a casino license; or who is the holder of less than an interest, as defined in section 1:1 of this code, in any firm which is the holder of an interest or less than an interest in any firm, corporation, or association, or any holding or intermediary company with respect thereto, which is the holder of, or an applicant for, a casino license; or who is the holder of an interest or less than an interest, as defined in section 1:1 of this code, in any firm which is the holder of less than an interest, as defined in section 1:1 of this code, in any firm, corporation, or association, or any holding or intermediary company with respect thereto, which is the holder of, or an applicant for, a casino license, shall, within 60 days of the adoption of this code and, thereafter, within 10 days of such association, such employment or the acquisition of such holding or the knowledge by the legislator of the acquisition of such holding, file with the Joint Legislative Committee on Ethical Standards a statement so indicating and, in the case of a holding, listing the nature and extent of such holding and date of acquisition thereof. If such statement is properly and timely filed, such association, employment, or holding shall not, in and of itself and without more, be considered a "personal interest" for purposes of section 2:9 of this code, although the filing of such statement shall not relieve a member of the Legislature who shall have a personal interest in any legislation from complying with the requirements of section 2:9.
e. No member of the Legislature, nor any member of his immediate family, nor any partnership, firm or corporation with which he is associated as an officer, director, or holder of an interest, as defined in section 1:1 of this code, shall be an officer, director, or holder of an interest, as defined in section 1:1 of this code, in any firm, corporation, or association, or holding or intermediary company with respect thereto, as the same are defined in the Casino Control Act, which is the holder of, or an applicant for, a casino service industry license or which is doing or seeking to do business, other than provision of goods and services as a licensed public utility or as a patron or on a casual basis, with a casino licensee or its affiliated hotel. A member of the Legislature who is an employee of, or who is the holder of less than an interest, as defined in section 1:1 of this code, in, such a firm, corporation, or association, or holding or intermediary company with respect thereto; or who is associated as an officer or director with any firm which is the holder of less than an interest, as defined in section 1:1 of this code, in such a firm, corporation, or association, or holding or intermediary company with respect thereto; or who is an employee of any firm which is the holder of an interest or less than an interest, as defined in section 1:1 of this code, in such a firm, corporation, or association, or holding or intermediary company with respect thereto; or who is the holder of an interest or less than an interest, as defined in section 1:1 of this code, in a firm which is the holder of less than an interest in such a firm, corporation, or association, or holding or intermediary company with respect thereto; or who is the holder of less than an interest, as defined in section 1:1 of this code, in a firm which is the holder of an interest or less than an interest, as defined in section 1:1 of this code, in such a firm, corporation or association, or holding or intermediary company with respect thereto, shall, within 60 days of the adoption of this code and, thereafter, within 10 days of such association, such employment or the acquisition of such holding or the knowledge by the legislator of the acquisition of such holding, file with the Joint Legislative Committee on Ethical Standards a statement so indicating and, in the case of a holding, listing the nature and extent of such holding and the date of acquisition thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no such statement shall be required with respect to the ownership or control of a holding in a publicly traded corporation which is the holder of, or applicant for, a casino service industry license, or any holding or intermediary company with respect thereto; or which is doing or seeking to do business, other than provision of goods and services as a licensed public utility or as a patron or on a casual basis, with a casino licensee or its affiliated hotel; or which is the holding or intermediary company of any firm, corporation, or association which is doing or seeking to do such business. If such statement is properly and timely filed, such association, employment, or holding shall not, in and of itself and without more, be considered a "personal interest" for purposes of section 2:9 of this code, although the filing of such statement shall not relieve a member of the Legislature who shall have a personal interest in any legislation from complying with the requirements of section 2:9. For the purposes of this subsection and subsection g., business "on a casual basis" shall include, but not be limited to, business conducted with a casino licensee or its affiliated hotel by a firm, corporation, or association with which the licensee has or would have no separate or individual contract or agreement which is required to be approved by the Casino Control Commission pursuant to subsection b. of section 104 of the Casino Control Act (P.L. 1977, c. 110; C. 5:12-104b.).
f. A member of the Legislature who is an officer, director, employee, or holder of an interest or less than an interest, as defined in section 1:1 of this code, in any firm, corporation, or association, or holding or intermediary company with respect thereto, which is doing or seeking to do business on a casual basis with a casino licensee or its affiliated hotel shall, within 60 days of the adoption of this code and, thereafter, within 10 days of becoming such an officer, director, employee, or holder of an interest or less than an interest, as defined in section 1:1 of this code, file with the Joint Legislative Committee on Ethical Standards a statement so indicating and, in the case of a holding, listing the nature and extent of such holding and the date of acquisition thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no such statement shall be required with respect to the ownership or control of a holding in a publicly traded corporation which is doing or seeking to do business on a casual basis with a casino licensee or its affiliated hotel, or which is the holding or intermediary company of any such firm, corporation, or association. If such statement is properly and timely filed, such association as an officer, director, employee, or holder of an interest or less than an interest, as defined in section 1:1 of this code, shall not, in and of itself and without more, be considered a "personal interest" for purposes of section 2:9 of this code, although the filing of such statement shall not relieve a member of the Legislature who shall have a personal interest in any legislation from complying with the requirements of section 2:9. For the purposes of this subsection, "business on a casual basis" shall mean business conducted with a casino licensee or its affiliated hotel by a firm, corporation, or association with which the licensee has or would have no separate or individual contract or agreement which is required to be approved by the Casino Control Commission pursuant to subsection b. of section 104 of the Casino Control Act (P.L. 1977, c. 110; C. 5:12-104b.), but shall not mean the provision of goods and services as a licensed public utility.
g. If a member of the immediate family of a member of the Legislature is the holder of an interest or less than an interest, as defined in section 1:1 of this code, in any firm, corporation, or association, or holding or intermediary company with respect thereto, which is the holder of, or an applicant for, a casino license or a casino service industry license, or which is doing or seeking to do business, other than provision of goods and services as a licensed public utility or as a patron or on a casual basis, with a casino licensee or its affiliated hotel, the family member shall, within 60 days of the adoption of this code and, thereafter, within 10 days of the knowledge by the legislator of the acquisition of such holding by the family member, file with the Joint Legislative Committee on Ethical Standards, a statement listing the nature and extent of such holding, the holder thereof and the date of acquisition thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no such statement shall be required with respect to the ownership or control of a holding in a publicly traded corporation which is the holder of, or applicant for, a casino service industry license, or any holding or intermediary company with respect thereto; or which is doing or seeking to do business, other than provision of goods and services as a licensed public utility or as a patron or on a casual basis, with a casino licensee or its affiliated hotel; or which is the holding or intermediary company of any firm, corporation, or association which is doing or seeking to do such business. If such statement is properly and timely filed, such holding shall not, in and of itself and without more, be considered a "personal interest" for purposes of section 2:9 of this code, although the filing of such statement shall not relieve a member of the Legislature who shall have a personal interest in any legislation from complying with the requirements of section 2:9.
h. A member of the Legislature who has or enters into any financial relationship, whether as debtor, creditor, mortgagor, mortgagee, or otherwise, with a holder of or applicant for a casino license or with a holding or intermediary company with respect thereto, or a member of his immediate family who has or enters into any such relationship, shall, within 60 days of the adoption of this code and, thereafter, within 10 days of entering into such a relationship or of the knowledge by the legislator of such a relationship, file with the Joint Legislative Committee on Ethical Standards, a statement listing the nature of the relationship, the parties thereto and the terms thereof.
i. A member of the Legislature who owns or holds an interest in any land or building in any city in which casino gambling is authorized, or a member of his immediate family who owns or holds an interest in any land or building in any city in which casino gambling is authorized shall, within 60 days of the adoption of this code and, thereafter, within 10 days of the acquisition of such ownership or holding, file with the Joint Legislative Committee on Ethical Standards, a statement listing such ownership or control.
j. No member of the Legislature shall accept any complimentary service, discount, or credit from any casino applicant or licensee which he knows or has reason to know is other than such service, discount, or credit that is offered to the general public (New).
2:9. No member of the Legislature shall participate by voting or any other action on the floor of either House, in committee or elsewhere, in the enactment or defeat of legislation in which he has a personal interest unless and until he files with the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the General Assembly, as the case may be, and with the Joint Legislative Committee on Ethical Standards a statement that he has a personal interest in the legislation, identifying it by bill or resolution number, and that notwithstanding his interest, he is able to cast a fair and objective vote and otherwise participate in connection with and consideration of such legislation.
The Joint Legislative Committee on Ethical Standards is authorized to investigate the circumstances giving rise to the filing of a statement of personal interest and upon a finding, after a hearing thereon, that the member's participation with respect to the enactment or defeat of the legislation would constitute a violation of the public trust or create an impression among the public of a violation of the public trust, the joint committee shall direct the member to withdraw his sponsorship of, or participation in, the enactment or defeat of the legislation.
For the purpose of this section a "personal interest" means the member of the Legislature believes or has reason to believe he will derive a direct monetary gain or suffer a direct monetary loss by the enactment or defeat of the legislation; a "personal interest" does not mean that by enactment or defeat of the legislation no benefit or detriment to him could be expected to accrue to him, as a member of a business, profession, occupation or group, to any greater extent than any such benefit or detriment could be expected to accrue to any other member of such business, profession, occupation or group.
Statements filed pursuant to this section shall be entered verbatim in the Senate Journal or Minutes of the General Assembly, as the case may be (C. 52:13D-18).
2:10. No member of the Legislature shall solicit, receive or agree to receive, whether directly or indirectly, any compensation, reward, employment, gift or other thing of value, from any source other than the State of New Jersey, for any service, advice, assistance or other matter related to his official duties, except reasonable fees for speeches or published works on matters within his official duties and except, in connection therewith, reimbursement of actual expenditures for travel and reasonable subsistence for which no payment or reimbursement is made by the State of New Jersey. This section shall not apply to the solicitation or acceptance of contributions to the campaign of an announced candidate for elective public office and the member has no knowledge or reason to believe that the solicited campaign contribution, if accepted, would be given with the intent to influence the member in the performance of his public duties and responsibilities (C. 52:13D-24).
2:11. No member of the Legislature shall willfully disclose to any person, whether or not for pecuniary gain, any information not generally available to members of the public which he receives or acquires in the course of and by reason of his official duties. No member of the Legislature shall use for the purpose of pecuniary gain, whether directly or indirectly, any information not generally available to members of the public which he receives or acquires in the course of and by reason of his official duties (C. 52:13D-25).
2:12. If any person shall attempt to induce a member of the Legislature to violate any provision of the New Jersey Conflicts of Interest Law or this code, the member shall report the matter to the Attorney General in writing no later than 72 hours after the attempt and shall advise concurrently in writing the Joint Legislative Committee on Ethical Standards that he has made such a report to the Attorney General (C. 52:13D-26).
2:13. Any member of the Legislature may request and obtain an advisory opinion of the Joint Legislative Committee on Ethical Standards as to whether or not the amount of a fee for a speech or published work is reasonable or that any proposed activity or conduct would in its opinion constitute a violation of the provisions of the New Jersey Conflicts of Interest Law or this code. Advisory opinions of the joint committee shall not be made public, except when the joint committee by the vote of three-fourths of all of its members directs that the same be made public or upon the request of the member seeking the advisory opinion. Public advisory opinions shall not disclose the name of any member of the Legislature unless the joint committee in directing that the same be made public so directs. All advisory opinions shall remain on file for 5 years from the date of issuance (C. 52:13D-22 (g) and 52:13D-24).
2:14. a. No later than May 15 of each year, each member of the Senate and General Assembly shall file with the Joint Legislative Committee on Ethical Standards or any successor thereto a financial disclosure statement, on a form to be prescribed by the Joint Legislative Committee on Ethical Standards or its successor, with respect to the member's, the member's spouse's and minor children's sources of income, received from sources other than the State, and liabilities, amounts thereof, and interests, during the preceding calendar year. The Joint Legislative Committee on Ethical Standards shall prescribe the information necessary to identification of sources. When an amount is required to be reported, it shall be sufficient to comply with the requirement to disclose whether the amount is less than $10,000, at least $10,000 but less than $25,000, at least $25,000 but less than $50,000, or $50,000 or more. The statement shall include an enumeration of:
(1) Each of the following categories of earned income: salaries, bonuses, royalties, fees, commissions and profit sharing paid to the member, the member's spouse or the member's minor child as an officer, employee, partner or consultant of a named corporation, professional association, partnership or sole proprietorship;
(2) Each of the following categories of unearned income: rents, dividends and other income received by the member, the member's spouse or minor child from named investments, trusts and estates;
(3) Fees and honorariums for personal appearances, speeches or writings received by the member or the member's spouse from named payers;
(4) Reimbursements or prepaid expenses for travel, subsistence or facilities provided in kind received by the member, the member's spouse or minor child from named payers or providers other than the State, indicating whether the payer or provider is a profit, nonprofit or governmental entity;
(5) Gifts having a value totalling more than $250, other than devises, bequests, intestate estate distributions or principal distributions of trusts or gifts from a spouse or other relative, received by the member, the member's spouse or minor child from named donors;
(6) The amounts of all personal liabilities of the member and the member's spouse, except liabilities which are (a) less than $15,000 and owed to a relative; (b) less than $3,000 and owed to any other person; (c) loans secured by a personal motor vehicle, or household furniture or appliances; and (d) revolving charge accounts. As used in this subsection, "relative" means a son, daughter, grandson, granddaughter, father, mother, grandfather, grandmother, great-grandfather, great-grandmother, brother, sister, nephew, niece, uncle or aunt. Relatives by adoption, half-blood, marriage or remarriage shall be treated as relatives of the whole kinship;
(7) The amounts of all personal liabilities otherwise subject to disclosure, pursuant to paragraph (6) of this section, of the member and the member's spouse, that have been forgiven by the creditor within 12 months prior to the statement date. For each forgiven liability, the name of the creditor to whom such a liability was owed shall be stated;
(8) The name and address of all business organizations in which the member or the member's spouse held an "interest" as defined in section 13 of P.L.1971, c.182 (C.52:13D-13);
(9) Any offices, trusteeships, directorships, or positions of any nature, whether compensated or uncompensated, held by the member or the member's spouse, with any firm, corporation, association, partnership or business; and
(10) The address and brief description of all real property in which the member, the member's spouse or a minor child held an interest.
b. The failure of a member of the Legislature to file a statement as required by this section shall be reported to the President of the Senate or Speaker of the General Assembly.
c. The Joint Legislative Committee on Ethical Standards or its successor after review of statements filed pursuant to this section may by advisory opinion determine that in its opinion a particular category of income, reimbursements, gifts, real estate holdings or business interests gives rise to an appearance of conflict with the member's service as a member of the Legislature.
d. Advisory opinions issued pursuant to subsection c. shall be public records and shall remain on file for 5 years from the date of issuance.
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3. OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES IN THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
3:1. No State officer or employee or special State officer or employee shall accept from any person, directly or indirectly, whether by himself or through his spouse or a member of his family or through any partner or business or professional associate, any gift, favor, service, employment or offer of employment or any other thing of value, which he knows or has reason to believe is made or offered to him with the intent to influence him in the performance of his duties as a State officer or employee or special State officer or employee.
This section shall not apply to the acceptance of contributions to the campaign of an announced candidate for any elective public office by a special State officer or employee (C. 52:13D-14).
3:2. Except as hereinafter provided in sections 3:4 and 3:5 no State officer or employee nor any partnership or firm of which he is a member or any corporation in which he owns or controls an interest, nor any partner, officer or employee of any such partnership, firm or corporation, shall represent, appear for, or negotiate on behalf of, or agree to represent, appear for, or negotiate on behalf of, any person or party other than the State in connection with:
a. The acquisition or sale by the State or a State agency of any interest in real or tangible or intangible personal property (C. 52:13D-15);
b. The acquisition by the State or a State agency of any interest in real property by condemnation proceedings (C. 52:13D-15);
c. Any specific cause, proceeding, application or other matter before any State agency (C. 52:13D-16).
3:3. No special State officer or employee nor any partnership or firm of which he is a member or any corporation in which he owns or controls an interest, nor any partner, officer or employee of any such partnership, firm or corporation, shall represent, appear for, or negotiate on behalf of, or agree to represent, appear for, or negotiate on behalf of, any person or party other than the State in connection with any cause, proceeding, application or other matter pending before the Legislature or either House thereof or an agency, commission or committee in the legislative branch (C. 52:13D-16a.).
3:4. a. The provisions of section 3:2 above shall not prohibit or restrict a State officer or employee from representing himself in negotiations or proceedings concerning his own interest in real property, or prohibit or restrict a partnership or firm with which a State officer or employee is associated or a corporation in which he owns or controls an interest from appearing before a State agency in any cause, proceeding or other matter on its own behalf (C. 52:13D-16).
3:5. A State officer or employee whose conditions of employment permit him to engage in private law practice is authorized to represent, appear for or negotiate on behalf of, or agree so to do, any person other than the State in any action, cause, proceeding or application before:
a. Any court of record, except where the State or a State agency is an adverse party;Any court of record, except where the State or a State agency is an adverse party;
b. The Division of Workers' Compensation, except in connection with a claim by a State employee;
c. The Division of Taxation in connection with the determination or review of transfer inheritance or estate taxes;
d. The Department of State in connection with the filing of corporate or other documents;
e. The Unsatisfied Claim and Judgment Fund Board, solely for the purpose of filing a protective notice of intention (C. 52:13D-16).
3:6. No State officer or employee or special State officer or employee, subsequent to the termination of his office or employment in any State agency, shall represent, appear for or negotiate on behalf of, or agree to represent, appear for, or negotiate on behalf of, whether by himself or through any partnership, firm or corporation in which he owns or controls an interest or through any partner, officer or employee thereof, any person or party other than the State in connection with any cause, proceeding, application or other matter with respect to which such State officer or employee or special State officer or employee shall have made any investigation, rendered any ruling, given any opinion, or been otherwise substantially and directly involved at any time during the course of his office or employment (C. 52:13D-17).
3:7. Prior approval of the Joint Legislative Committee on Ethical Standards shall be obtained for a State officer or employee, individually, through a partnership or firm with which he is associated or by a corporation in which he owns or controls an interest, to bid on and to accept awards of contracts let or awarded by a State agency where the dollar value thereof is $25.00 or more.
Where approval is desired to bid on and, if successful, to accept and undertake contracts to be awarded by a State agency after public notice and competitive bidding or to negotiate, accept and execute contracts of the types enumerated in P.L. 1954, c. 48, s. 5 (C. 52:34-10) awarded without advertising with the approval of the State Treasurer or contracts of insurance to be entered into pursuant to P.L. 1944, c. 112, s. 10 (C. 52:27B-62), an application to, and approval by, the joint committee may be made for a period not in excess of one legislative year.
Upon the award of a contract by a State agency to a State officer or employee, his partnership or firm or corporation described in this section he shall file with the joint committee a notice of the award, the name of the State agency involved and the dollar amount of the contract. Any amendment or change order to any such contract involving a change in the dollar amount involved shall likewise be reported to the joint committee (C. 52:13D-19).
3:8. A State officer or employee or special State officer or employee shall not act as an agent of the Legislature, either House thereof or agency in the legislative branch in connection with the transaction of any business with himself or with a corporation, company, association or firm in which he owns or controls an interest (C. 52:13D-20).
3:9. Any State officer or employee whose conditions of employment so permit and who engages in the conduct or practice of a particular business, profession, trade or occupation which is subject to licensing or regulation by a particular State agency shall file a notice that he is the holder of a particular license or is engaged in such activity with the Joint Legislative Committee on Ethical Standards. A State officer or employee whose conditions of employment authorize him to engage in private law practice shall so report to the joint committee. Renewal of licenses need not be reported (C. 52:13D-23(e)(2)).
3:10. a. No State officer or employee, nor any member of his immediate family, nor any special State officer or employee, or any partnership, firm or corporation with which he is associated or in which he holds an interest, shall represent, appear for, or negotiate on behalf of the holder of, or an applicant for, a casino license or any holding or intermediary company with respect thereto, as the same are defined in the Casino Control Act.
b. No State officer or employee, nor any member of his immediate family, nor any special State officer or employee, or any partnership, firm or corporation with which he is associated or in which he holds an interest, shall be an officer, director, employee, or holder of an interest, as defined in section 1:1 of this code, in any holder of, or an applicant for, a casino license or any holding or intermediary company with respect thereto, as the same are defined in the Casino Control Act.
c. No State officer or employee or special State officer or employee, or any firm with which he is associated, shall appear or practice in any capacity representing any person, firm, corporation or association before the Casino Control Commission or the Division of Gaming Enforcement (New).
3:11. No State officer or employee or special State officer or employee shall solicit, receive or agree to receive, whether directly or indirectly, any compensation, reward, employment, gift or other thing of value from any source other than the State of New Jersey, for any service, advice, assistance or other matter related to his official duties, except reasonable fees for speeches or published works on matters within his official duties and except, in connection therewith, reimbursement of actual expenditures for travel and reasonable subsistence for which no payment or reimbursement is made by the State of New Jersey. This section shall not apply to the solicitation or acceptance of contributions to the campaign of an announced candidate for elective public office by a special State officer or employee; provided, the special State officer or employee has no knowledge or reason to believe that the contribution is solicited, offered or accepted with the intent to influence the special State officer or employee or the candidate to whose campaign it is offered or made in the performance of his public duties and responsibilities.
3:12. No State officer or employee or special State officer or employee shall accept any complimentary service, discount, or credit from any casino applicant or licensee which he knows or has reason to know is other than such service, discount, or credit that is offered to the general public in like circumstance (New).
3:13. No State officer or employee or special State officer or employee shall willfully disclose to any person, whether or not for pecuniary gain, any information not generally available to members of the public which he receives or acquires in the course of and by reason of his official duties. No State officer or employee or special State officer or employee shall use for the purpose of pecuniary gain, whether directly or indirectly, any information not generally available to members of the public which he receives or acquires in the course of and by reason of his official duties (C. 52:13D-25).
3:14. If any person shall attempt to induce a State officer or employee or special State officer or employee to violate any provision of the New Jersey Conflicts of Interest Law or this code, the officer or employee shall report the matter to the Attorney General in writing no later than 72 hours after the attempt and shall advise concurrently in writing the Joint Legislative Committee on Ethical Standards that he has made such a report to the Attorney General (C. 52:13D-26).
3:15. Any State officer or employee or special State officer or employee may request and obtain an advisory opinion of the Joint Legislative Committee on Ethical Standards as to whether or not the amount of any fee for a speech or published work is reasonable or any proposed activity or conduct would in its opinion constitute a violation of the provisions of the New Jersey Conflicts of Interest Law or this code.
Advisory opinions of the joint committee shall not be made public, except when the joint committee by the vote of three-fourths of all its members directs that the same be made public or upon the request of the officer or employee seeking the advisory opinion. Public advisory opinions shall not disclose the name of any State officer or employee or special State officer or employee unless the joint committee in directing that the same be made public so directs. All advisory opinions shall remain on file for 5 years from the date of issuance (C. 52:13D-22(g) and 52:13D-24).
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