Minnesota Administrative Rules

7845.0700 PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES.

Subpart 1.

In general; exceptions.

A commissioner or employee shall not directly or indirectly solicit or accept for the commissioner or employee, or for another person, any compensation, gift, gratuity, favor, entertainment, meal, beverage, loan, or other thing of monetary value from a public utility, telephone company, or party, that exceeds nominal value. This prohibition does not apply to:

A.

books or printed materials that are relevant to the official responsibilities of the commission; or

B.

an educational program devoted to improving the regulatory process or the administration of the commission that is open to other interested groups or state agencies under the same terms and conditions. Meals associated with the program must be paid for by a commissioner or employee who attends the program.

Subp. 2.

Outside income.

A commissioner or professional employee shall not receive personal income, directly or indirectly, from a public utility or telephone company subject to regulation by the commission. A commissioner or professional employee may receive dividends or other earnings from a mutual fund or trust so long as the mutual fund or trust does not hold a significant portion of its investments in public utilities or telephone companies subject to regulation by the commission.

Subp. 3.

Interests in utilities.

A commissioner or professional employee shall not invest in a public utility or telephone company, acquire a legal or equitable interest in it, however small, become its director or advisor, or actively participate in its affairs. This prohibition does not apply to:

A.

ownership in a mutual fund or trust that holds securities in a telephone company or public utility unless the commissioner or professional employee participates in the management of the fund;

B.

holding office or title in an educational, religious, charitable, fraternal, or civic organization that owns securities in a telephone company or public utility;

C.

purchasing services from a telephone company or public utility on the same terms and conditions as a member of the general public; or

D.

holding membership in a cooperative association under the same terms and conditions as other members of the cooperative.

Subp. 4.

Outside employment.

A commissioner or employee shall not negotiate for or accept outside employment or other involvement in a business or activity that will impair the person's independence of judgment in the exercise of official duties.

Subp. 5.

Insider information.

A commissioner or employee shall not directly or indirectly use, or permit others to use, information not made available to the general public, to advance a private interest.

Statutory Authority:

MS s 216A.037

History:

12 SR 458

Published Electronically:

January 5, 2010