Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires the Rhode Island Ethics Commission to make financial statements of certain public officials available online to the public.

Highlights:

• Requires government officials to annually submit to the Rhode Island Ethics Commission financial statements that comply with various rules set forth in this bill (Sec. 1).

• Requires the ethics commission to make these records available to the public on its website no later than 2 business days after the reports are received (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that these requirements are for the following officials and employees (Sec. 1):

• State elected officials;

• State appointed officials;

• State appointed officials and employees who hold a major decision-making position in a state agency;

• Municipal elected officials; and

• Municipal appointed officials who have decision-making authority over the expenditure of more than $50,000 in public funds in any fiscal or calendar year.

• Specifies that this applies to all financial statements required to be filed by April 27, 2018, and thereafter (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text