In Your State - Vermont

WASHINGTON, December 13, 2001 — The Center interviewed ethics agency officials, scoured ethics agency Web sites and combed through pages of state statutes to conduct this survey of state ethics agencies. Below is a snapshot of answers for this state. See how this state ethics agency compares on staff and budget, oversight and enforcement power, among other topics surveyed. Find out what other type of ethics oversight this state has. Go to the methodology for an explanation of how the survey was conducted and what exact questions were asked.

Oversight Summary
Oversight Survey

Vermont is among four states — including Michigan, North Dakota and South Dakota — in which there are no formal ethics laws dealing with ethical conduct of legislator beyond personal financial disclosure and/or campaign finance disclosure requirements.

More Info

What, if any, ethics agency exists in the state?
None.

If the above agency does not oversee legislators, is legislative oversight defined in statute?
No.

Are there state statutes that address ethical conduct for legislators?
No. Vermont has no statute regarding ethics and disclosure beyond sections pertaining candidates' campaign finance and outside interest disclosure, which is governed by the Vermont Secretary of State, Elections & Campaign Finance Division.
http://vermont-elections.org/soshome.htm

When were the ethics statutes enacted?
N/A

Where do legislators file outside interest disclosures?
No disclosure required. See Info Resources.

Where do legislators file campaign finance disclosures?
Vermont Secretary of State, Elections & Campaign Finance Division
http://vermont-elections.org/soshome.htm

Where are lobbying disclosures filed?
Vermont Secretary of State, Elections & Campaign Finance Division
http://vermont-elections.org/soshome.htm

Note: Some information provided by the Council on Governmental Ethics Laws' "Ethics Update" 2000. For more information or to purchase the reference, visit www.cogel.org.