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Commission Reports and Policies 

 

  
  • Public Information Policy
     
  • Audit Policy
      
  • Best Practice Management
      
  • Annual/Accountability Reports

  • Fines and Fee Report

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    Public information Policy

    COMMERCIAL SOLICITATION

    In accordance with Section 30-2-10, et. seq. of the South Carolina Code of Laws, 1976, as amended, no public records will be released to any person or private entity for the purpose of using the public record for commercial solicitation.  Any person knowingly using a public record for commercial solicitation is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined an amount not to exceed five hundred dollars or imprisoned for a term not to exceed one year, or both.

       

    INSPECTION

    All forms and statements filed with the State Ethics Commission are public information open for public inspection upon request.

    Reports and statements filed with the State Ethics Commission are available for viewing at the Commission office Monday through Friday, except holidays, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

        

    COPIES

    Copies of the forms and statements are available from the Commission at a charge of $.50 per page.  Copies may be obtained in person or a request form may be obtained from the Commission office.

     

    Audit Policy

    The Commission's audit policy enables all forms and statements filed with the Commission to be audited. Three types of audits may be conducted:

    1. Filing Audit - to determine that required forms have been filed and that such forms or statements are accurate and complete.
         
    2. Desk Audit - more formal review of forms or statements to determine if violations have occurred or if complete information is not provided.
         
    3. Field Audit - an in-depth examination of accounts and documents supporting information filed on the reports or statements.

    The filing audit is conducted on all reports or statements filed with the Commission.

    The desk audit and field audit may be conducted at the discretion of the Commission:  when requested by the individual involved; when requested by the Commission members; when needed for information purposes; when an advisory opinion has been requested, or when a complaint has been filed.

     

    Best Practice Management

     

    In accordance with Proviso 89.56 (GP: Best Management Practices) the State Ethics Commission publishes the following ratings report.

                Practice     Status
    Integration of Planning and Budgeting In compliance
    Internal Audit In compliance
    Collaboration and Partnerships In compliance
    Outsourcing and Privatization In compliance
    Process Analysis In compliance
    Use of Automation and Technology In compliance
    Energy and other Resource Conservation and Management In compliance
    Preventive and Deferred Maintenance In compliance
    Alternate Revenue Sources In compliance
    External Annual Financial Audit Findings In compliance
    External Review Findings In compliance
    Long Range Capital Plan Not applicable
    Risk Management In compliance

     

     

     

      The Commission's annual report was replaced in 2007 with the accountability report.

              2010 Accountability Report

              2011 Accountability Report 

              2012 Accountability Report


     

     

     

    STATE ETHICS COMMISSION (R52) –  3035
    FY2012


    89.85 (GP: Fines and Fees Report)  In order to promote accountability and transparency, each state agency must provide and release to the public via the agency’s website, a report of all aggregate amounts of fines and fees that were charged and collected by that state agency in the prior fiscal year.  The report shall include, but not be limited to:  (1) the code section, regulation, or proviso that authorized the fines and fees to be charged, collected, or received; (2) the amount received by source; (3) the purpose for which the funds were expended by the agency; (4) the amount of funds transferred to the general fund, if applicable, and the authority by which the transfer took place; and (5) the amount of funds transferred to another entity, if applicable, and the authority by which the transfer took place, as well as the name of the entity to which the funds were transferred.  The report must be posted online by September first.  Additionally, the report must be delivered to the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee by September first.  Funds appropriated to and/or authorized for use by each state agency shall be used to accomplish this directive.

    Late Filing Penalties/Complaint Fines:  
    Relevant Code Sections: 2-17-50, 8-13-1510, 8-13-320
     Total collected: $270,080.44
      Collected at Agency: $227,701.91
      Collected by DOR – GEAR Program: $39,078.53
      Collected by DOR – Setoff Debt Program: $3,300.00

    Lobbying Registration Fees:
    Relevant Code Sections: Sections 2-17-20 & 2-17-25
     Total collected: $156,100.00 

    Training Conference Registration Fees: 
    Relevant Code Sections: Section 8-13-120
     Total collected: $0  

    Sale of Documents Fees: 
     Total collected: $104.00

    Enforcement/Administrative Fees: 
    Relevant Code Sections: Section 8-13-130
     Total collected: $14,900.00


    The funds are expended for the purpose of carrying out the mandated responsibilities of the agency.  There were no funds transferred to the General Fund.