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Conflicts of Interest

The Legislative Ethics Law lists several situations involving a conflict of interest. The law also presumes that a conflict of interest is present in several circumstances which involve a substantial risk of undue influence by a Legislator or an abuse of the Legislator's office.

When a Legislator has a conflict of interest, he or she has an affirmative duty not to vote on any question in connection with the conflict, and cannot attempt to influence the outcome of that question. For more information, please read Section 1015(1) of the Legislative Ethics Law.

When the Ethics Commission finds that a Legislator has voted or acted in conflict of interest, the Commission is required to report its findings in writing to the chamber of which the Legislator is a member. For more information, please read Section 1015(2) of the Legislative Ethics Law.

The Ethics Commission and office of the Maine Attorney General have issued advisory opinions on conflicts of interest, gifts, and undue influence.

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