(a) The Anne Arundel County Ethics Commission and its staff shall administer the Anne Arundel County Public Ethics Law.
(b) The Commission shall prescribe and provide forms for the reports, statements, notices and other documents required by the County Public Ethics Law.
(c) The Commission's staff shall review the statements filed in accordance with the County Public Ethics Law and notify persons filing those statements of omissions or deficiencies.
(d) The Commission shall publish and make available explanatory information concerning the provisions of the public ethics law, the duties imposed by it, and the means for enforcing it.
(e) (1) The Commission's staff shall investigate a complaint of a violation of the County Public Ethics Law or, in the absence of a complaint, may inquire into a potential violation and file a complaint if appropriate.
(2) The Commission may hear and decide complaints alleging violations of the County Public Ethics Law.
(3) The Commission or staff, as appropriate, may administer oaths, compel the attendance of witnesses, and require the production of records and other materials in connection with an inquiry, investigation, or hearing conducted by the Commission or its staff.
(f) At the request of any County Official or employee subject to the provisions of the County Public Ethics Law, the Commission shall issue an advisory opinion concerning the application of the law to that person. At the request of any other person, the Commission may issue an advisory opinion concerning the application of the County Public Ethics Law. The Commission shall respond, at least preliminarily, to a request for advisory opinion within two weeks after receipt of the request.
(g) The Commission's staff shall make each advisory opinion available to the public after receipt by the person requesting the opinion. Before an advisory opinion is made public, facts not material to the opinion that may identify the person who is the subject of the opinion shall be deleted to the fullest extent possible.
(h) The County Public Ethics Law may provide for the Commission to have additional authority, duties and functions.
(Res. No. 48-92)
State Code reference – Duties, General Provisions Article, § 5-204 (see also § 7-2-104 of the County Code).