2-10-127 - Reports by members of the general assembly, members-elect of the general assembly, governor, members of the governor's staff, secretary of state, treasurer, or comptroller of the treasury r - Tennessee Statutes

2-10-127. Reports by members of the general assembly, members-elect of the general assembly, governor, members of the governor's staff, secretary of state, treasurer, or comptroller of the treasury regarding siblings, spouses or children who are lobbyists.

(a)  Any person subject to the prohibition in § 2-10-123(a), whose sibling, spouse or child is required to register as a lobbyist under § 3-6-302, shall report in writing, on a form developed by the Tennessee ethics commission:

     (1)  The name of the person making the disclosure and such person's business address;

     (2)  The name and business address of the sibling, spouse or child;

     (3)  The position of the sibling, spouse or child; and

     (4)  The name and address of each person for whom the sibling, spouse or child registers for the purpose of lobbying.

(b)  The report shall be filed with the commission annually no later than February 1.

(c)  Each person subject to the prohibition in § 2-10-123(a) shall file a supplementary report with the Tennessee ethics commission that includes a complete description of any information that has changed from the information supplied in the last registration form or last report. Such supplementary reports shall be filed within ten (10) days of any such change.

(d)  (1)  A person subject to the prohibition in § 2-10-123(a) shall declare before taking a legislative or administrative action on any matter: “It may be considered that I have a degree of personal interest in the subject matter of this bill or action, but I declare that my argument and my ultimate vote answer only to my conscience and to my obligation to my constituents and the citizens of the state of Tennessee,” if:

          (A)  The person is employed by a business entity that employs a lobbyist, and such lobbyist is employed by the business entity to lobby such legislative or administrative action; or

          (B)  The matter is lobbied by a sibling, spouse or child of the person subject to the prohibition in § 2-10-123(a).

     (2)  The person may alternatively state that the person is declaring a potential conflict of interest, in accordance with the provisions of this section, or indicate the conflict via the voting board in the chamber of the house of representatives or the senate.

(e)  The report shall be made under oath and shall contain a statement that a false statement on the report is subject to the penalties of perjury.

(f)  All disclosures made to the commission pursuant to this section are public records and open for inspection during regular business hours.

(g)  Failure to file a report required by the provisions of this section is a Class C misdemeanor.

[Acts 2005, ch. 102, § 1; 2006 (1st Ex. Sess.), ch. 1, §§ 28, 30, 31.]