TOPEKA: An assistant state attorney general received permission Wednesday to work for a private tobacco “Master Settlement Agreement” clearinghouse as long as he doesn’t deal with Kansas matters.

That was the only item before the Governmental Ethics Commission this month, but in January there will be a public hearing on a proposed regulation about filing complaints.

Wednesday’s meeting was on a conference call.

Assistant Attorney General Patrick Broxterman, requested an advisory opinion about a potential conflict of interest if he works with the clearinghouse on regulations involving the agreement, which Kansas joined with 45 other states in 1996.

The Commission approved an opinion that there was no conflict in working with that clearinghouse with other states, but there would be if the group had dealings with Kansas:

… assuming you become employed by or have a substantial interest in the newly formed clearinghouse, you may not in your capacity as Assistant Attorney General and Director of the Tobacco Unit be substantially involved in the preparation of any negotiated contract or participate in the making of any negotiated contract between the Attorney General’s Office and the entity you would create …

The Jan. 20 meeting will included a public hearing on a proposed new regulation K.A.R. 19-6-1. The proposal removes nondisclosure limits by anyone filing an ethics complaint:

Proposed new Kansas Ethics Regulation KAR 19-6-1 –

 Wednesday the Kansas Watchdog obtained the written 2009 Commission Recommendations to the Governor and Legislature, which was approved at the November meeting:

2009 Recommendations to Governor & Legislature from Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission –

Related

• 2009 Annual Report from Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission, Kansas Watchdog, Nov 23, 2009.
•  Kansas Ethics Commission to ask legislature for law changes, Kansas Watchdog, Nov 23, 2009.