On July 1, 1993, the duties and powers given to the Secretary of State in this chapter must be transferred to the State Ethics Commission. When this transfer takes place, the Code Commissioner is directed to change all references in this chapter from the Secretary of State to the State Ethics Commission.

ETHICS COMMISSION OPINIONS

1. In General

Non-profit trade association's ad hoc espousal of position on legislation or other official State action does not constitute lobbying, and neither association nor its board members or officers are lobbyists or lobbyist's principals within meaning of Ethics Reform Act. Op. S.C. St. Ethics Comm., SEC AO94-005, August 18, 1993.

State University that is lobbyist's principal generally may not provide to legislator lodging, transportation, entertainment, food, meals, beverages or invitation to function paid for by University even if it is provided solely because legislator's spouse is member of University's Board of Trustees. Op. S.C. St. Ethics Comm., SEC AO94-006, September 15, 1993.

Registered lobbyist is not prohibited from being reappointed to South Carolina Retirement and Pre-Retirement Advisory Board since it has no authority to exercise sovereign power of State. Op. S.C. St. Ethics Comm., SEC AO94-007, September 15, 1993.

Despite public member's association with firm that submitted lowest bid on commission project, Ethics Reform Act does not prohibit this firm from being awarded contract, provided it is awarded in accordance with Consolidated Procurement Code and commission member complies with recusal provisions of Section 8-13-700(B). Op. S.C. St. Ethics Comm., SEC AO94-008, September 15, 1993.

Lobbyist and subordinate staff person who reports directly to lobbyist are both prohibited from performing functions related to PAC of lobbyist's principal. Op. S.C. St. Ethics Comm., SEC AO94-009, October 20, 1993.

Within election cycle, no candidate or anyone acting on his behalf may solicit or accept from "person", as defined in Section 8-13-1300(24), contribution which exceeds $3,500 in case of candidate for statewide office or $1000 in case of candidate for any other office. Moreover, one contribution limit shall apply to individual as well as all proprietorships that are owned by that individual and whose contributions are directed by that individual. Op. S.C. St. Ethics Comm., SEC AO94-020, April 20, 1994.