Pennsylvania § 319 - Code of ethics.

§ 319. Code of ethics.

(a) General rule.--Each commissioner and each administrative law judge shall conform to the following code of ethics for the Public Utility Commission. A commissioner and an administrative law judge must:

(1) Avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety in all activities.

(2) Perform all duties impartially and diligently.

(3) Avoid all ex parte communications prohibited in this part.

(4) Abstain publicly from expressing, other than in executive or public session, his personal views on the merits of a matter pending before the commission and require similar abstention on the part of commission personnel subject to his direction and control.

(5) Require staff and personnel subject to his direction to observe the standards of fidelity and diligence that apply to the commissioner and administrative law judge.

(6) Initiate appropriate disciplinary measures against commission personnel for unprofessional conduct.

(7) Disqualify himself from proceedings in which his impartiality might be reasonably questioned.

(8) Inform himself about his personal and fiduciary interests and make a reasonable effort to inform himself about the personal financial interests of his spouse and children.

(9) Regulate his extra-curricular activities to minimize the risk of conflict with his official duties. He may speak, write or lecture and any reimbursed expenses, honorariums, royalties, or other moneys received in connection therewith shall be disclosed annually. Such disclosure statement shall be filed with the secretary of the commission and shall be open to inspection by the public during the normal business hours of the commission during the tenure of the commissioner or of the administrative law judge.

(10) Refrain from solicitation of funds for any political, educational, religious, charitable, fraternal or civic purposes, although he may be an officer, director or trustee of such organizations.

(11) Refrain from financial or business dealing which would tend to reflect adversely on impartiality, although the commissioner or administrative law judge may hold and manage investments which are not incompatible with the duties of his office.

(12) Conform to such additional rules as the commission may prescribe.

(b) Removal of commissioner for violation.--Any commissioner who violates the provisions of subsection (a) shall be removed from office in the manner provided in section 302 (relating to removal of commissioner).

(c) Removal of judge for violation.--Any administrative law judge who violates the provisions of subsection (a) shall be removed from office in the manner provided by the act of August 5, 1941 (P.L.752, No.286), known as the "Civil Service Act."