Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes

65 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 1101.1 (2026)

 Purpose.

✓ current as of May 2026
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§ 1101.1.  Purpose.

(a)  Declarations.--The Legislature hereby declares that public office is a public trust and that any effort to realize personal financial gain through public office other than compensation provided by law is a violation of that trust. In order to strengthen the faith and confidence of the people of this Commonwealth in their government, the Legislature further declares that the people have a right to be assured that the financial interests of holders of or nominees or candidates for public office do not conflict with the public trust. Because public confidence in government can best be sustained by assuring the people of the impartiality and honesty of public officials, this chapter shall be liberally construed to promote complete financial disclosure as specified in this chapter. Furthermore, it is recognized that clear guidelines are needed in order to guide public officials and employees in their actions. Thus, the General Assembly by this chapter intends to define as clearly as possible those areas which represent conflict with the public trust.

(b)  Recognition.--It is recognized that many public officials, including most local officials and members of the General Assembly, are citizen-officials who bring to their public office the knowledge and concerns of ordinary citizens and taxpayers. They should not be discouraged from maintaining their contacts with their community through their occupations and professions. Thus, in order to foster maximum compliance with its terms, this chapter shall be administered in a manner that emphasizes guidance to public officials and public employees regarding the ethical standards established by this chapter.

(c)  Legislative intent.--It is the intent of the General Assembly that this chapter be administered by an independent commission composed of members who are cognizant of the responsibilities and burdens of public officials and employees and who have demonstrated an interest in promoting public confidence in government.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 36 cases (4 in the last 5 years), 2002–2025 · leading case: In Re Nomination Petition of Carroll, 896 A.2d 566 (Pa. 2006).
In Re Nomination Petition of Carroll, 896 A.2d 566 (Pa. 2006). · cites it 12× “Brief for Appellant, 7 ( citing 65 Pa.C.S. § 1101.1(a)). Carroll argues that the fatal defect rule is designed to ensure that financial disclosures are fully and timely made, so that they may inform the public about a candidate's financial interests, thus facilitating the…”
In Re Nomination of Paulmier, 937 A.2d 364 (Pa. 2007). · cites it 6× “Specifically, it was my belief that permitting candidates to amend errors of complete omission would undermine the Ethics Act's goal of full financial disclosure by allowing those who omitted material information the ability to either wait-out the period for challenge in the…”
Rendell v. Pennsylvania State Ethics Comm'n, 983 A.2d 708 (Pa. 2009). · cites it 4× “See 65 Pa.C.S. § 1101.1(a) ("[T]he General Assembly by this chapter intends to define as clearly as possible those areas which represent conflict with the public trust.”
Kistler v. Commonwealth, State Ethics Comm'n, 22 A.3d 223 (Pa. 2011). · cites it 10× “" 65 Pa.C.S. § 1101.1(a) Purpose (emphasis *228 added).”
C.A. Reuther & A.M. Diakatos v. Delaware Cnty. Bureau of Elections & C. Rossi, 172 A.3d 738 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2017). · cites it 10× “]” 11 65 Pa.C.S. § 1101.1 (emphasis added); see also Chanceford Aviation Props.”
Commonwealth v. Veon, 150 A.3d 435 (Pa. 2016). “(quoting 65 Pa.C.S. § 1101.1(a)); see Rendell v. Penna.”
In Re Benninghoff, 852 A.2d 1182 (Pa. 2004). · cites it 2× “65 Pa.C.S. § 1101.1. Anastasio relies on the liberal construction of the Election Code to protect a candidate's right to run for office and the voters' right to elect the candidate of their choice.”
United States v. Kemp, 500 F.3d 257 (3rd Cir. 2007). “Here, the government presented sufficient evidence for a reasonable jury to find beyond a reasonable doubt that Kemp violated that trust by soliciting and accepting payment in exchange for taking official action. Accordingly, we find no plain error and reject Kemp’s challenge to…”
United States v. Bryant, 556 F. Supp. 2d 378 (D.N.J. 2008). · cites it 4× “” 65 Pa. Cons.Stat. § 1101.1. Here, the government presented sufficient evidence for a reasonable jury to find beyond a reasonable doubt that Kemp violated that trust by soliciting and accepting payment in exchange for taking official action.”
Shaulis v. Pennsylvania State Ethics Comm'n, 833 A.2d 123 (Pa. 2003). · cites it 2× “[3] See 65 Pa.C.S. § 1101.1(a); see also Act of October 4, 1978, P.”
Rendell v. Pennsylvania State Ethics Comm'n, 961 A.2d 209 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2008). · cites it 6× “Additionally, the Governor argues that, while the substantive focus of the Ethics Act is on complete disclosure of financial interests, there is also a compelling need for "clear guidelines.”
Nutter v. Dougherty, 921 A.2d 44 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2007). · cites it 2× “1, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1101.1, the legislature stated that the Ethics Act was intended to strengthen the "faith and confidence" of the people of the Commonwealth in their government and declared that the people had a right to know that the financial interests of their public officials…”
— 65 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 1101.1(a) — 25 cases
In Re Nomination Petition of Carroll, 896 A.2d 566 (Pa. 2006). “Brief for Appellant, 7 ( citing 65 Pa.C.S. § 1101.1(a)). Carroll argues that the fatal defect rule is designed to ensure that financial disclosures are fully and timely made, so that they may inform the public about a candidate's financial interests, thus facilitating the…”
Rendell v. Pennsylvania State Ethics Comm'n, 983 A.2d 708 (Pa. 2009). “See 65 Pa.C.S. § 1101.1(a) ("[T]he General Assembly by this chapter intends to define as clearly as possible those areas which represent conflict with the public trust.”
Kistler v. Commonwealth, State Ethics Comm'n, 22 A.3d 223 (Pa. 2011). “" 65 Pa.C.S. § 1101.1(a) Purpose (emphasis *228 added).”
In Re Nomination of Paulmier, 937 A.2d 364 (Pa. 2007). “Specifically, it was my belief that permitting candidates to amend errors of complete omission would undermine the Ethics Act's goal of full financial disclosure by allowing those who omitted material information the ability to either wait-out the period for challenge in the…”
Commonwealth v. Veon, 150 A.3d 435 (Pa. 2016). “(quoting 65 Pa.C.S. § 1101.1(a)); see Rendell v. Penna.”
— 65 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 1101.1(b) — 2 cases
In Re Nomination Petition of Carroll, 896 A.2d 566 (Pa. 2006). “Brief for Appellant, 7 ( citing 65 Pa.C.S. § 1101.1(a)). Carroll argues that the fatal defect rule is designed to ensure that financial disclosures are fully and timely made, so that they may inform the public about a candidate's financial interests, thus facilitating the…”
In re Nomination Petition of deYoung, 900 A.2d 954 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2006).
— 65 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 1101.1(c) — 3 cases
C.A. Reuther & A.M. Diakatos v. Delaware Cnty. Bureau of Elections & C. Rossi, 172 A.3d 738 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2017). “]” 11 65 Pa.C.S. § 1101.1 (emphasis added); see also Chanceford Aviation Props.”
In re Nomination Petition of deYoung, 900 A.2d 954 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2006).
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