Public Service Ethics Resources

The Institute offers a suite of ethics publications designed to help California local officials meet both the law’s and the public’s expectations for public servants.  To be responsive to users' needs, these are available in either hardcopy or digital formats.

Understanding the Basics of Public Service Ethics: Personal Financial Gain Laws provides a plain-language explanation of laws relating to public officials and personal financial gain. It addresses key issues such as:

  • Receiving Special Favors or Money for Official Actions
  • Disqualification from Decision-Making Based on Economic Interests
  • Restrictions on Interests in Agency Contracts
  • Restrictions on Property Ownership in Redevelopment Areas
  • Restrictions Affecting Employment after Public Service

Understanding the Basics of Public Service Ethics: Perk Issues, Including Compensation, Use of Public Resources and Gift Laws provides a plain-language explanation of laws relating to public officials and personal advantages and perks. It addresses key issues such as:

  • Compensation Issues
  • Reimbursement of Expenses
  • Restrictions on Use of Public Resources
  • Restrictions on Gifts to Public Officials
  • Restrictions on Use of Campaign Funds

Understanding the Basics of Public Service Ethics: Transparency Laws provides a plain-language explanation of laws relating to public officials and transparency. It addresses key issues such as:

  • Disclosure of Sources of Income and Other Financial Interests
  • Disclosure of Charitable Fundraising Activities
  • Disclosure of Campaign Contributions
  • Open Meeting Laws
  • The Public’s Right to Participate in Meetings
  • The Public’s Right to Access Records

Understanding the Basics of Public Service Ethics: Fair Process Laws and Merit-Based Decision-Making provides a plain-language explanation of laws relating to public officials and fair processes. It addresses key issues such as:

  • The Public’s Right to Fair and Unbiased Decision-Makers
  • The Prohibition Against Vote-Trading
  • Restrictions on Personal Loans to Public Officials
  • Restrictions on Participation in Decisions that May Benefit an Official’s Family
  • Disqualification from Decision-Making Based on Receipt of Campaign Contributions
  • Restrictions on Campaign Support from Agency Staff
  • Restrictions on Holding Multiple Public Offices
  • Requirements for Competitive Bidding Processes for Public Contracts
  • Protections for Whistle-Blowers

Understanding the Basics of Public Service Ethics: Promoting Personal and Organizational Ethics helps elected officials and agency staff go beyond the minimum requirements of the law to promote ethics not only in their own behaviors, but throughout their organization.

Very Important Thank Yous

The Institute is very grateful to its law firm supporters whose commitment to public service ethics education made these resources possible.

ORDERING INFORMATION:

Individual pamphlets in electronic form are available on an honor system for individual use by local officials, the media and the public. Digital versions are also available for download and distribution to others for a modest fee.

Hard copy versions are also available.  A complete set of these publications is available for $45. Individual copies are available for $10 each.

 

To purchase hard copy or downloadable versions of these materials, please fill out and either fax or mail the order form along with payment.  All proceeds support the development of additional materials to serve local officials and others. The Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.


 

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