What is a Conflict of Interest code?

The California Political Reform Act requires certain state and local government officials to publicly disclose their private economic interests on an official Statement of Economic Interests form and that all government (University) employees disqualify themselves from participating in decisions in which they have a personal financial interest. A conflict of interest code lists the position titles of those employees or officials (designated position) in an organization who are required to provide personal financial information, assigns disclosure categories to these positions, and indicates the types of economic interest which must be reported, such as investments, interests in real estate, or sources of income or gifts.

The University's Code is revised annually and submitted to the Fair Political Practices Commission for approval. The Commission is the state body that administers, interprets and enforces the California Political Reform Act. The University's approved Conflict of Interest Code has the force of law and any violation of the Code by a designated employee is deemed a violation of the Political Reform Act.