Mississippi Ethics Commission

The Mississippi Ethics Commission has four main areas of authority under four separate laws:

• The Ethics in Government Law

• The Open Meetings Act

• The Public Records Act and

• The Campaign Finance Law

The Ethics Commission administers and enforces the Ethics in Government Law, codified as Sections 25-4-1 through 25-4-119, Miss. Code of 1972, and has three primary roles:  Receive Statements of Economic Interest for filing by public officials and candidates, and make the completed forms available for public inspection; Process sworn complaints and investigate alleged violations of the Ethics Law by public servants; and Issue written advisory opinions to public servants regarding the Ethics Law.

The Ethics Commission also enforces the Open Meetings Act and the Public Records Act through a complaint process. The Ethics Commission issues advisory opinions and civil penalties under the Campaign Finance Law.

All elected and appointed officials and employees of state, county, district and municipal government in Mississippi are subject to at least one of these laws. The commission and its staff are committed to helping public servants comply with the law and ensuring the highest standards of governmental integrity and transparency for the people of Mississippi.