(a)  The commission is hereby empowered to:

(1)  Engage the services of an executive director and of other legal, secretarial, and investigative employees, who shall be bound by the prohibitions contained in § 36-14-8(f), and to make such other expenditures as are necessary for the effective performance of its functions;

(2)  Separately retain the services of independent legal counsel who shall be bound by the prohibitions contained in § 36-14-8(f) and who shall remain independent of the executive director and other commission employees;

(3)  Prescribe and publish, after notice and public hearings, rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this chapter;

(4)  Prescribe forms for statements and reports required to be filed by this chapter and furnish the forms to persons required to file statements and reports;

(5)  Prepare and publish a manual setting forth recommended uniform methods of accounting and reporting for use by persons required to file statements and reports by this chapter;

(6)  Accept and file any information voluntarily supplied that exceeds the requirements of this chapter;

(7)  Compile and maintain an index of all reports and statements filed with the commission to facilitate public access to the reports and statements;

(8)  Prepare and publish quarterly and annually summaries of statements and reports filed with the commission;

(9)  Review all statements and reports filed with the commission in order to ascertain whether any person has failed to file a required statement or has filed a deficient statement;

(10)  Preserve statements and reports filed with the commission for a period of five (5) years from date of receipt;

(11)  Prepare and publish special reports and technical studies to further the purposes of this chapter;

(12)  Prepare and publish, prior to April 1 of each year, an annual report summarizing the activities of the commission, including, but not limited to, the:

(i)  Number of disclosure statements filed;

(ii)  Subjects of advisory opinions requested and issued;

(iii)  Number of complaints filed, investigated and/or adjudicated;

(13)  Have a seal and the members, executive director, and assistant clerks thereof shall have authority and power to administer oaths and affirmations;

(14)  Educate public officials, employees, and citizens on ethical standards as embodied in the code of ethics by holding regular workshops, seminars, and the like, focusing on the specifics of the code of ethics and compliance therewith;

(15)  Create publications to explain the ethical conduct expected of officials and employees.

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(b)  The rulemaking power conferred by subsection (a)(3) of this section shall be subject to, and shall be exercised in conformity with, § 42-35-2 — § 42-35-7.

(c)  Unless specifically prohibited, the commission shall make statements and reports filed with the commission available for public inspection and copying during regular office hours and make copying facilities available at a charge not to exceed actual cost.