R356-2-9. Conflicts of Interest

  (1) Commission members shall disclose during the organizational meeting the existence and nature of a relationship with an applicant that may impact the commission member's ability to fairly and impartially evaluate the applicant or any other applicant.

  (2)(a) A commission member who believes they have a relationship with an applicant that will impact their ability to fairly and impartially evaluate an applicant shall recuse themself from the nominating process.

  (b) If a commission member discloses a relationship with an applicant and does not recuse themself from the nominating process, the commission may, by majority vote, disqualify the commission member from participation if the commission believes the relationship will impact the commission member's ability to fairly and impartially evaluate an applicant.

  (c) A commission member who has recused themself or been disqualified by the commission may rejoin the nominating process if:

  (i) the applicant with whom the commission member has a relationship is no longer being considered by the commission; and

  (ii) the commission decides, by majority vote, to allow the commission member to participate.

  (3) A commission member who is related to an applicant within the third degree shall be disqualified from the nominating process.