The Office of Government Ethics has proposed to update and clarify policies describing the executive branch ethics program, lay out the responsibilities of various parties, and reinforce ethics messaging.
A Federal Register notice June 6 essentially writes through the body of rules that have built up since the OGE was created. “In short, they present a comprehensive picture of the executive branch ethics program, its responsibilities and its procedures, as reflected through 35 years of interpreting and implementing the Ethics in Government Act of 1978, as amended, as well as other applicable statutes, regulations, executive orders and authorities,” the notice says of the rules.
The proposed regs restate the general principles such as preventing conflicts of interest, as the detailed operations of the ethics program, including the responsibilities of agency heads, designated agency ethics officials, and OGE itself.
They spell out agency responsibilities including furnishing of information, records and reports to the OGE, and processes to collect review, maintain, and, where applicable, release financial disclosure reports.
They also describe OGE responsibilities including issuing advisory opinions and other written guidance.
