Under the Legislative Ethics Law, no Legislator may represent or assist another in the sale of goods or services to the State, a state agency or authority, unless the transaction occurs after public notice and competitive bidding. (1 M.R.S.A. § 1014(2-A)(C))
Also, it is a violation of legislative ethics for a Legislator or an associated organization to enter into a contract with a state agency that is to be paid in whole or in part out of governmental funds unless the contract has been awarded through a process of public notice and competitive bidding or is exempt from competitive bidding pursuant to state purchasing laws. (1 M.R.S.A. § 1014(4))
When a Legislator or associated organization bids on a contract with a state governmental agency, the Legislator or associated organization shall file a disclosure statement with the Ethics Commission no later than 5:00 p.m. on the day that the bid is submitted. (1 M.R.S.A. § 1016-D)
For more information, please read Sections 1014(2-A)(C), 1014(4) and 1016-D of the Legislative Ethics Law and the Questions and Answers about Disclosure of Bids on Contracts. The Ethics Commission and Office of the Maine Attorney General have issued advisory opinions on conflicts of interest, gifts, and undue influence.