Trade Law Daily is a service of Warren Communications News.

Ariz. Commissioners Will Defend Ethics Code

The Arizona Corporation Commission agreed 5-0 to defend its ethics code via a letter to state legislators. The commission will respond to a Sept. 2 letter by Senate Majority Leader Rick Gray (R), Sen. Sine Kerr (R) and Rep. Gail…

Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article

Timely, relevant coverage of court proceedings and agency rulings involving tariffs, classification, valuation, origin and antidumping and countervailing duties. Each day, Trade Law Daily subscribers receive a daily headline email, in-depth PDF edition and access to all relevant documents via our trade law source document library and website.

Griffin (R), who raised concerns that the code may violate state law and the Arizona and U.S. constitutions (docket AU-00000E-17-0079). Commissioners agreed to two changes to a letter drafted by Legal Division Director Robin Mitchell. Commissioner Justin Olson, running for U.S. Senate, said the letter makes a good case for the ethics code but suggested replacing the term “dark money” with “independent expenditure campaigns” and striking a phrase that said “no one is forced to run for office.” A commission spokesperson couldn’t immediately provide the letter, which will carry commissioners’ signatures. The ACC began developing an ethics code in 2017, finalizing it in 2018 and amending it in 2019 (see 1909240019).