SECTION 45.1-231. Conflicts of interest prohibited  

A. No employee of the Department performing any function or duty under this chapter, shall have a financial interest in any underground or surface coal mining operation.

B. For the purposes of this section, "financial interest" shall include a pecuniary interest accruing to an employee or to his spouse, minor children or other relatives living in the same household.

C. The Director shall promulgate regulations by which the provisions of this section will be monitored and enforced, including provisions for the filing and review of statements and supplements by employees concerning any financial interest which may be affected by this section, for the hiring, transfer, and removal of employees consistent with the prohibition of this section, for the resolution of prohibited interests, for the confidentiality, protection and disclosure to enforcement authorities of reporting statements and for such exemptions from the provisions of this section as may be consistent with federal law.

D. [Repealed.]

E. Judicial proceedings to enforce the provisions of this section may be brought by the Attorney General at the request of the Director.

Nothing in this article shall be construed as repealing or amending any other provisions of law pertaining to conflicts of interest except that in cases of conflict, the provisions of this article shall control.

1979, c. 290; 1984, c. 590.