Alaska Statutes
Alaska Stat. § 39.52.110 (2026)
Scope of code; prohibition of unethical conduct
✓ current as of July 2026
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Sec. 39.52.110. Scope of code; prohibition of unethical conduct.
(a) The legislature reaffirms that each public officer holds office as a public trust, and any effort to benefit a personal or financial interest through official action is a violation of that trust. In addition, the legislature finds that, so long as it does not interfere with the full and faithful discharge of an officer's public duties and responsibilities, this chapter does not prevent an officer from following other independent pursuits. The legislature further recognizes that
(1) in a representative democracy, the representatives are drawn from society and, therefore, cannot and should not be without personal and financial interests in the decisions and policies of government;
(2) people who serve as public officers retain their rights to interests of a personal or financial nature; and
(3) standards of ethical conduct for members of the executive branch need to distinguish between those minor and inconsequential conflicts that are unavoidable in a free society, and those conflicts of interests that are substantial and material.
(b) Unethical conduct is prohibited, but there is no substantial impropriety if, as to a specific matter, a public officer's
(1) personal or financial interest in the matter is insignificant, or of a type that is possessed generally by the public or a large class of persons to which the public officer belongs; or
(2) action or influence would have insignificant or conjectural effect on the matter.
(c) The attorney general, designated supervisors, hearing officers, and the personnel board must be guided by this section when issuing opinions and reaching decisions.
(d) Stock or other ownership interest in a business is presumed insignificant if the value of the stock or other ownership interest, including an option to purchase an ownership interest, is less than $5,000.
(a) The legislature reaffirms that each public officer holds office as a public trust, and any effort to benefit a personal or financial interest through official action is a violation of that trust. In addition, the legislature finds that, so long as it does not interfere with the full and faithful discharge of an officer's public duties and responsibilities, this chapter does not prevent an officer from following other independent pursuits. The legislature further recognizes that
(1) in a representative democracy, the representatives are drawn from society and, therefore, cannot and should not be without personal and financial interests in the decisions and policies of government;
(2) people who serve as public officers retain their rights to interests of a personal or financial nature; and
(3) standards of ethical conduct for members of the executive branch need to distinguish between those minor and inconsequential conflicts that are unavoidable in a free society, and those conflicts of interests that are substantial and material.
(b) Unethical conduct is prohibited, but there is no substantial impropriety if, as to a specific matter, a public officer's
(1) personal or financial interest in the matter is insignificant, or of a type that is possessed generally by the public or a large class of persons to which the public officer belongs; or
(2) action or influence would have insignificant or conjectural effect on the matter.
(c) The attorney general, designated supervisors, hearing officers, and the personnel board must be guided by this section when issuing opinions and reaching decisions.
(d) Stock or other ownership interest in a business is presumed insignificant if the value of the stock or other ownership interest, including an option to purchase an ownership interest, is less than $5,000.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 4
cases, 1991–2007 · leading case: Gates v. City of Tenakee Springs, 822 P.2d 455 (Alaska 1991).
Gates v. City of Tenakee Springs, 822 P.2d 455 (Alaska 1991). “Conflict of Interest Claims Gates argues that city officials violated AS 39.52.110, 39.52.120, and 39.52.150 by misusing city and state funds during the period in which her encroachment was removed.”
Kila, Inc. v. State, Dep't of Admin., 876 P.2d 1102 (Alaska 1994). “Also relevant is AS 39.52.110(b): Unethical conduct is prohibited, but there is no substantial impropriety if, as to a specific matter, a public officer's (1) personal or financial interest in the matter is insignificant, or of a type that is possessed generally by the public or…”
Jurgens v. City of North Pole, 153 P.3d 321 (Alaska 2007). “The act requires public officials in the executive branch to adhere to its ethical standards, AS 39.52.110, and allows the personnel board to recommend a variety of penalties, including dismissal, if it finds after conducting a hearing that a public official has violated the act.”
Skvorc v. State, Pers. Bd., 996 P.2d 1192 (Alaska 2000). “230 provided: A person may report to a public officer's designated supervisor, under oath and in writing, a potential violation of AS 39.52.110 — 39.52.190 by the public officer.”
— Alaska Stat. § 39.52.110(b) — 2 cases
Kila, Inc. v. State, Dep't of Admin., 876 P.2d 1102 (Alaska 1994). “Also relevant is AS 39.52.110(b): Unethical conduct is prohibited, but there is no substantial impropriety if, as to a specific matter, a public officer's (1) personal or financial interest in the matter is insignificant, or of a type that is possessed generally by the public or…”
Skvorc v. State, Pers. Bd., 996 P.2d 1192 (Alaska 2000). “230 provided: A person may report to a public officer's designated supervisor, under oath and in writing, a potential violation of AS 39.52.110 — 39.52.190 by the public officer.”
— Alaska Stat. § 39.52.110(b)(1) — 1 case
Kila, Inc. v. State, Dep't of Admin., 876 P.2d 1102 (Alaska 1994). “Also relevant is AS 39.52.110(b): Unethical conduct is prohibited, but there is no substantial impropriety if, as to a specific matter, a public officer's (1) personal or financial interest in the matter is insignificant, or of a type that is possessed generally by the public or…”
— Alaska Stat. § 39.52.110(b)(2) — 1 case
Kila, Inc. v. State, Dep't of Admin., 876 P.2d 1102 (Alaska 1994). “Also relevant is AS 39.52.110(b): Unethical conduct is prohibited, but there is no substantial impropriety if, as to a specific matter, a public officer's (1) personal or financial interest in the matter is insignificant, or of a type that is possessed generally by the public or…”
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