Ethics

Below is a list of laws and regulations relevant to the Ethics program. 

Basic Obligations of Public Service

• Executive Order 12674: The Foundation for Ethical Behavior

Criminal Ethics Statutes

• 18 U.S.C. 201 – Bribery of Public Officials Prohibited
• 18 U.S.C. 203 – Restrictions on Compensated Represented Activities
• 18 U.S.C. 205 – Restrictions on Acting as an Agent or Attorney
• 18 U.S.C. 207 – Post-Government Employment Restrictions
• 18 U.S.C. 208 – Conflicts of Interest
• 18 U.S.C. 209 – Supplementation of Federal Salary Prohibited

Government Ethics Regulations

• 5 C.F.R 2634 – Executive Branch Financial Disclosure, Qualified Trusts, and Certificates of Divestiture
• 5 C.F.R 2635 - Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch
  • Subpart A – General Provisions
  • Subpart B – Gifts from Outside Sources
  • Subpart C – Gifts Between Employees
  • Subpart D – Conflicting Financial Interests
  • Subpart E – Impartiality in Performing Official Duties
  • Subpart F – Seeking Other Employment
  • Subpart G – Misuse of Position
  • Subpart H – Outside Activities
• 5 C.F.R 2638 – Executive Branch Ethics Program
  • Subpart A – Mission and Responsibilities
  • Subpart B – Procedures for Executive Branch Ethics Program
  • Subpart C – Government Ethics Education
• 5 C.F.R 2640 – Interpretation, Exemptions, and Waiver Guidance Concerning 18 U.S.C. 208 (Acts Affecting A Personal Financial Interest)
• 5 C.F.R 2641 – Post-employment Conflict of Interest Restrictions

DOI Specific Regulations

• 5 C.F.R. 3501 – Supplemental Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Department of the Interior
  • 3501.101 - General
  • 3501.102 – Designation of Separate Agency Components
  • 3501.103 – Prohibited Interests in Federal Lands
  • 3501.104 – Prohibited Interests in Mining
  • 3501.105 – Outside Employment and Activities
• 43 C.F.R. 20 – Public Lands: Interior, Employee Responsibilities and Conduct
  • Subpart A – General Provisions
  • Subpart B – Department Ethics Program
  • Subpart C – Acceptance and Payment of Travel and Related Expenses
  • Subpart D – Special Provisions Governing Financial and Other Outside Interests of Certain Employees of the Department
  • Subpart E – Other Employee Conduct Provisions
  • Subpart F – Disciplinary and Remedial Action

Other Laws and Regulations

• Appropriations - The Red Book, Principles of Federal Appropriations Law
• U.S. Constitution, Article 1, Section 9, Clause 8 - Emoluments Clause
  • 5 U.S.C. 7342 – Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act
  • 41 C.F.R. 102-42 – Utilization, Donation, and Disposal of Foreign Gifts and Decorations
• Travel Acceptance
  • 31 U.S.C. 1353 – Acceptance of Travel and Related Expenses from non-Federal Sources
    • 41 C.F.R. 304 – Payment of Travel Expenses from a non-Federal Source
  • 5 U.S.C. 4111 – Training - Acceptance of contributions, awards and other payments
    • 41 C.F.R. 304-9 – Acceptance of Payment for Training – Contributions and Awards
  • 5 U.S.C. 7342 – Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act
  • 5 U.S.C 3343 – Details; to international organization
  • 5 U.S.C. 3373 – Assignment of Employees to State or local governments
  • 5 U.S.C. 5751​ – Miscellaneous Provisions – Travel expenses of witnesses
• Political Activities – The Office of Special Counsel is an independent agency in charge of upholding the Hatch Act.
  • 5 U.S.C. 7321 to 7326 - Hatch Act
  • 5 C.F.R. 734 – Political Activities of Federal Employees
  • 5 C.F.R. 733 – Political Activity – Federal Employees Residing in Designated Localities
• Procurement Integrity Act
  • 41 U.S.C. 2101 to 2107 – Restrictions on Obtaining and Disclosing Certain Information
  • 48 C.F.R. 3.1 – Improper Business Practices and Personal Conflicts of Interest - Safeguards
• Gambling
  • 41 C.F.R. 102-74.395 – Conduct on Federal Property – What is the policy concerning gambling?
  • 5 C.F.R. 735.201 – What are the restrictions on gambling?
• Nepotism
  • 5 U.S.C. 3110 – Employment of Relatives; Restrictions
  • 5 C.F.R. 310 – Employment of Relatives