High standards of conduct governing the actions of public officials and employees are necessary to guarantee that the performance of their duties will withstand public scrutiny and merit public confidence. Clear and well-understood standards to govern such conduct are needed so that the conduct of public officials can be judged fairly and so that citizens can undertake public service with a fair understanding of what is expected of them in terms of continuing their private careers or business interests while fulfilling their office.

These two needs--for high standards and clear standards--motivated the 1968 General Assembly to adopt Senate Joint Resolution No. 26 (see Appendix I for text of Resolution) and create this Commission. The Resolution recognized the increasing importance of establishing proper standards of conduct for government personnel in view of the growing demands for government activity and services at the State and local levels. It called for a thorough investigation of the subject of standards of conduct and interrelated field of conflict of interests.