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SB 1815

ETHICS-REVOLVING DOOR

104th Regular Session Introduced by Chris Balkema and 1 co-sponsor

SB 1815 imposes 2-year "cooling-off" period before state officials can take private sector jobs related to their prior public service, aiming to limit conflicts of interest.

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Bill Summary · SB 1815

Summary of SB 1815 - ETHICS-REVOLVING DOOR

Overview

SB 1815, also known as the "Ethics-Revolving Door" bill, aims to address concerns around the movement of government officials and employees to private sector jobs that may create potential conflicts of interest. The bill is a companion to HB 2188 and was introduced in the state legislature on March 3, 2025.

Key Provisions

The main components of SB 1815 include:

  1. Cooling-Off Period: The bill would institute a mandatory 2-year "cooling-off" period before former state officials and high-level employees can accept jobs with private companies they had substantial dealings with while in government.

  2. Disclosure Requirements: All state officials and employees would be required to disclose any job negotiations or offers they receive from private companies while still in their government roles.

  3. Ethics Oversight: The state's ethics commission would be granted expanded authority to investigate potential violations and impose penalties for noncompliance with the new revolving door restrictions.

  4. Exceptions: The bill does allow for some exceptions, such as allowing former officials to take jobs with non-profit organizations or to return to previous private sector employers in certain cases.

Potential Impact

If passed, SB 1815 would have several notable impacts:

  • It would significantly restrict the ability of state government officials and senior employees to immediately transition to private sector jobs related to their prior public service.
  • The new disclosure requirements could promote greater transparency around potential conflicts of interest during the job search process.
  • Strengthened ethics enforcement would aim to deter improper influence peddling or the unfair use of insider information.
  • Opponents argue the bill could make it harder for the government to recruit talented individuals who may be hesitant about the revolving door restrictions.

Conclusion

SB 1815 is an effort to address concerns over the so-called "revolving door" between government and industry. By imposing cooling-off periods and enhanced disclosure/oversight, the bill seeks to limit the potential for undue influence and conflicts of interest. As a companion to HB 2188, this legislation reflects an ongoing policy debate around ethics rules for public officials.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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