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Bids on State Contracts

Under the Legislative Ethics Law, no Legislator may represent or assist another in the sale of goods or services to the State, a state agency or authority, unless the transaction occurs after public notice and competitive bidding.  (1 M.R.S.A. § 1014(2)(B))

Also, it is a violation of legislative ethics for a Legislator or an associated organization to enter into a contract with a state agency that is to be paid in whole or in part out of governmental funds unless the contract has been awarded through a process of public notice and competitive bidding or is exempt from competitive bidding pursuant to state purchasing laws.  (1 M.R.S.A. § 1014(4))

When a Legislator or associated organization bids on a contract with a state governmental agency, the Legislator or associated organization shall file a disclosure statement with the Ethics Commission no later than 5:00 p.m. on the day that the bid is submitted. (1 M.R.S.A. § 1016-D)  The disclosure statements are posted on the Commission’s website.

For more information, please read Sections 1014(2)(B), 1014(4) and 1016-D of the Legislative Ethics Law. The Ethics Commission and Office of the Maine Attorney General have issued advisory opinions on conflicts of interest, gifts, and undue influence.