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Understanding Fair Process Laws and Merit-Based Decision-Making

This piece explains California ethics laws relating to fair processes laws and public office.

Designed for local officials, the material covers issues such as:

  • The Public’s Right to Fair and Unbiased Decision-Makers
  • The Prohibition Against Vote-Trading
  • Restrictions on Personal Loans to Public Officials
  • Restrictions on Participation in Decisions that May Benefit an Official’s Family
  • Disqualification from Decision-Making Based on Receipt of Campaign Contributions
  • Restrictions on Campaign Support from Agency Staff
  • Restrictions on Holding Multiple Public Offices
  • Requirements for Competitive Bidding Processes for Public Contracts
  • Protections for Whistle-Blowers

This piece is chapter five of a more extensive publication (Understanding the Basics of Public Service Ethics) that explains all California ethics laws.

Understanding the Basics of Understanding Fair Process Laws and Merit-Based Decision-Making