Ethics Board Decision on Employee Business Units

January 17, 2004

Staff at the state's Executive Ethics Board have concluded that state workers may use state resources when preparing a bid during competitive contracting, as long as they follow General Administration's rules for employee business units.

Brian Malarky, executive director of the Washington State Executive Ethics Board, testified at a public hearing January 16 that General Administration's proposed rule on the issue is consistent with current state law: RCW.42.52.160, Use of persons, money or property for private gain.

The Ethics Board recommended several changes to the draft rule that, if adopted, would ensure that displaced workers would be eligible to work for private contractors.

A formal ruling by the Executive Ethics Board will be issued soon.