Portland, Maine City Council adopted an ethics code that will apply to the council members.

The ethics code adopts and incorporates by reference several provisions of state law, including the sections on improper influence and improper gifts to public servants in 17-A M.R.S.A. §§603, 605.

The code requires city officials to avoid financial conflict of interest and to refuse benefits or gifts of any kind from individuals seeking to influence the council’s decisions.

The code also prohibits council members from accepting free items from persons, firms, or corporations who have a contract with the city.

Councilors will also be prohibited from soliciting political contributions from any prospective city contractors or any individuals or entities who did business with the city in the prior 12 months.

The ethics code will take effect on June 16.

The Connecticut General Assembly adjourned sine die on June 9.

During the session, lawmakers passed House Bill 6574 relating to revisions of the state ethics code.

The bill exempts gifts from an individual’s or spouse’s grandparents from the law prohibiting gifts from restricted donors; clarifies the gift disclosure requirement by a person doing business with a department or agency; and requires executive branch regulatory agencies to annually file a list of positions subject to revolving door provisions.

If signed by the governor, House Bill 6574 becomes effective October 1.

This affects lobbying reporting.

The monthly employer activity report required any month the General Assembly is in regular session is due July 10.

South Dakota Secretary of State Steve Barnett published the 2021 annual limit for lobbyist gifts to public officials.

Each year, the annual cumulative value is adjusted.

It is based on the change in the consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers for the year before the immediately preceding year.

The change for 2019 was 2.3%, making the newly adjusted cumulative gift limit $106.43 for 2021.

Public officials and members of their immediate families may not accept gifts with a cumulative value greater than $106.43 from any lobbyist or principal during the 2021 calendar year.

Voters in Oklahoma City approved a proposition relating to accepting things of value from private businesses.

Proposition 9 amends the city charter to reorganize and update provisions banning city employees from accepting things of value from private businesses on better terms than available to the general public.

Article IV, Section 12 of the Oklahoma City Charter prohibits city officers and employees from directly or indirectly accepting or receiving any salary, commission, compensation, free or discounted service, or other thing of value of any kind from certain specified privately-owned businesses within the city on terms more favorable than is granted to the public generally.

Proposition 9 provides an exception allowing the granting of a city franchise or other city contract conditioned upon free service to the city and to its officers and employees while they are engaged in the performance of their duties.

Proposition 9 took effect when passed 70% to 30% on November 3.