Chapter ER-MRS 24

ER-MRS 24.04(1) (1) A conflict of interest on the part of a state employee exists whenever:

ER-MRS 24.04(1)(a) (a) The employee’s action or failure to act propitiously could reasonably be expected to directly or indirectly produce or assist in producing a private benefit for the employee or the employee’s immediate family or an organization with which the employee is associated; or

ER-MRS 24.04(1)(b) (b) The matter is one in which the employee in his or her private capacity or a member of the employee’s immediate family or an organization with which the employee is associated, as defined in s. ER-MRS 24.03 (3), has a substantial interest.

ER-MRS 24.04(2) (2) The state must, by necessity, specifically prohibit those activities that will cause a conflict of interest to the employee or to the state of Wisconsin. Therefore:

ER-MRS 24.04(2)(a) (a) No employee may use or attempt to use his or her public position or state property, including property leased by this state, or use the prestige or influence of a state position to influence or gain financial or other benefits, advantages or privileges for the private benefit of the employee, the employee’s immediate family or an organization with which the employee is associated.

ER-MRS 24.04(2)(a)1. 1. Any salary or other compensation received by the employee from this state for his or her services does not constitute “financial gain” as the term is used in this rule.

ER-MRS 24.04(2)(a)2. 2. Use of state telephones for essential personal local calls does not constitute “benefit” as the term is used in this rule.

ER-MRS 24.04(2)(b) (b) No employee may solicit or accept from any person or organization, directly or indirectly, money or anything of value if it could reasonably be expected to influence such employee’s official actions or judgment, or could reasonably be considered as a reward for any official action or inaction on the part of such employee.

ER-MRS 24.04(2)(b)1. 1. No employee who is assigned or acts as an official representative of the state in the presentation of papers, talks, demonstrations or making appearances shall solicit or accept fees, honoraria or reimbursement of expenses for personal gain. Any fees, honoraria, or reimbursement of expenses which may be offered in connection therewith shall be paid to the employee’s employing agency.

ER-MRS 24.04(2)(b)2. 2. Acceptance of fees and honoraria paid for papers, talks, demonstrations or appearances made by an employee on the employee’s own time and not directly part of the employee’s official duties, shall not be a violation of this rule. Employees shall notify their appointing authority prior to accepting fees and honoraria for papers, talks, demonstrations, or appearances to insure no conflict of interest exists.

ER-MRS 24.04(2)(b)3. 3. When an employee is offered an unsolicited award or reward for an exceptional accomplishment or outstanding performance other than that specified in par. (a) 1., the director shall determine whether or not it may be accepted by the employee after considering whether acceptance of the award or reward would conflict with the purposes of this chapter. Employees shall notify their appointing authority prior to accepting unsolicited awards or rewards, who in turn shall request that the director make a determination regarding acceptance or refusal of the award or reward.

ER-MRS 24.04(2)(c) (c) No employee may intentionally use or disclose information gained in the course of or by reason of the employee’s official position or activities in any way that could result in the receipt of anything of value for himself or herself, for his or her immediate family, or for any other person or organization, if the information has not been communicated to the public or is not public information. However, no reprisal may be taken against an employee for the lawful disclosure of information which the employee reasonably believes evidences:

ER-MRS 24.04(2)(c)1. 1. A violation of any law, rule, or regulation, or

ER-MRS 24.04(2)(c)2. 2. Mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, enforcement of unreasonable agency work rules, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety.

ER-MRS 24.04(2)(d) (d) No employee, member of an employee’s immediate family, nor any organization with which the employee or a member of the employee’s immediate family owns or controls at least 10% of the outstanding equity, voting rights, or outstanding indebtedness may enter into any contract or lease involving payment or payments of more than $3,000 within a 12-month period, in whole or in part derived from state funds unless the employee has first made written disclosure of the nature and extent of such relationship or interest to the appointing authority of the agency with which the employee is associated and obtained the appointing authority’s written approval. The appointing authority shall approve an employee’s interest in a lease or contract unless he or she determines that the employee’s personal interest in the agreement will conflict substantially and materially with the employee’s discharge of his or her public responsibilities. This paragraph does not effect the application of s. 946.13, Stats.

ER-MRS 24.04(2)(e) (e) An employee may recommend or decide to hire or promote another person for a permanent, seasonal or sessional position when the person affected is a member of the employee’s immediate family, if that person has been certified from an open or competitive promotional register. No employee may recommend or make a limited term or project appointment when the person to be hired is a member of the employee’s immediate family.

ER-MRS 24.04(2)(f) (f) No employee shall give preferential or favored treatment in the supervision or management of another employee who is a member of his or her immediate family.

ER-MRS 24.04(3) (3) The director may waive this section whenever its literal application would be adverse to the state’s best interest or would work an unreasonable hardship on the employee. If this section is waived, the director shall do so by setting forth in writing as a matter of public record an explanation of his or her finding that the waiver is in the state’s interest.

ER-MRS 24.04(4) (4) Nothing in this section prohibits an employee from making decisions concerning salaries, salary-related benefits or reimbursement of actual and necessary expenses when the action does not result in preferential or favored treatment of a member of the employee’s immediate family.

ER-MRS 24.04 History History: Cr. Register, March, 1974, No. 219, eff. 4-1-74; renum. from 24.03, Register, December, 1976, No. 252, eff. 1-1-77; (intro.) renum. from Pers 24.03 (1) and am., r. and recr. (1), renum. (2) and (3) to be (2) (b) 1. and 2. and am., (2) (c) renum. from Pers 24.05 and am., cr. (2) (d) to (f), (3) and (4), Register, February, 1981, No. 302, eff. 3-1-81; reprinted to correct error in (2) (d), Register, April, 1982, No. 316; am. (intro.), (2) (b) 2. and (e), cr. (2) (b) 3., Register, May, 1988, No. 389, eff. 6-1-88; correction in (1) (b) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, October, 1994, No. 466; correction in (2) (b) 3., (3) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 6., Stats., Register September 2015 No. 717.

ER-MRS 24.045 ER-MRS 24.045 Guidelines for outside employment. Agencies shall establish guidelines regarding outside employment of employees which shall include identifying those activities which are likely to cause a conflict of interest and requiring employees to obtain prior approval before accepting outside employment. Agencies shall submit their proposed guidelines to the director for review and approval before implementation.

ER-MRS 24.045 History History: Cr. Register, February, 1983, No. 326, eff 3-1-83; correction made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 6., Stats., Register September 2015 No. 717.

ER-MRS 24.05 ER-MRS 24.05 Action to avoid possible conflict.

ER-MRS 24.05(1) (1) Any state employee who, in the discharge of his or her official duties, is involved or about to be involved in any matter that could result in a conflict of interest on his or her part, shall so notify his or her appointing authority by submitting a written statement describing the matter requiring action or decision, and the nature of the possible conflict of interest with respect to such action or decision.

ER-MRS 24.05(2) (2) In those situations where a possible conflict of interest may occur, the appointing authority shall take action which may include:

ER-MRS 24.05(2)(a) (a) Relieving the employee of the assignment and assigning the matter to another qualified employee who does not have a conflict of interest.

ER-MRS 24.05(2)(b) (b) Preparing a memorandum of the particulars of the action taken under par. (a) and forwarding such memorandum, together with a copy of the employee’s statement received under sub. (1) to the director. In all cases, the appointing authority shall furnish to the employee a copy of such memorandum.

ER-MRS 24.05(3) (3) An appointing authority, an employee, or any individual may request an advisory opinion from the director on the application of this chapter to a given set of circumstances to which the person or agency may become a party. The director may keep confidential the identity of the person requesting an advisory opinion or of persons mentioned in an opinion.

ER-MRS 24.05(4) (4) The director may consult with the ethics commission on any matters relating to this chapter.

ER-MRS 24.05 History History: Cr. Register, March, 1974, No. 219, eff. 4-1-74; renum. from 24.07, Register, December, 1976, No. 252, eff. 1-1-77; (1) to (3) renum. from MRS 24.08, and am., cr. (4), (1), (3) and (4), Register, February, 1981, No. 302, eff. 3-1-81; correction in (4) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 6., Stats., Register February 2013 No. 686; correction in (2) (b), (3), (4) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 6., Stats., Register September 2015 No. 717; correction in (4) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 6., Stats., Register May 2017 No. 737.

ER-MRS 24.06 ER-MRS 24.06 Violations. Notice of alleged violations of this chapter shall be directed to the director, who may then refer the allegations to the appropriate authority.

ER-MRS 24.06 History History: Cr. Register, February, 1981, No. 302, eff. 3-1-81; correction made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 6., Stats., Register September 2015 No. 717.

ER-MRS 24.07 ER-MRS 24.07 Criminal penalties. For penalties for violations of this chapter, see s. 19.58, Stats.

ER-MRS 24.07 History History: Cr. Register, February, 1981, No. 302, eff. 3-1-81.