A.(1)  This Chapter applies to the city of New Orleans and the parishes of East Baton Rouge and Jefferson.

(2)  “Local governmental subdivision” or “municipality”, as used in this Chapter, means municipalities and parishes to which the Chapter is applicable.

B.  The proper operation of democratic government requires that elected officials and public employees be accountable for their actions, that governmental decisions are made in a transparent manner subject to complete ethical and operational review, that public office and employment serve the highest standards of honesty and competence, and that there be public confidence in the integrity of government.  The purpose of this Chapter is to serve these objectives by empowering the applicable municipalities and public officials and employees thereof to implement and enforce vigorous ethical standards and codes of conduct, and to that end these provisions are to be liberally construed in support of the purposes for which this Chapter is enacted.

Acts 2008, 1^st Ex. Sess., No. 18, §1, eff. April 26, 2008; Acts 2010, No. 98, §1, eff. June 1, 2010; Acts 2011, 1^st Ex. Sess., No. 20, §1, eff. June 12, 2011.