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Use of State Property

Summary of the Rule

Do not use state property for personal reasons.

Noteworthy Changes - Effective July 1,2015


No personal use of state property is allowed unless provided by an agency policy that has been approved by the State Ethics Commission.

Examples of the Rule

  • You are an employee with the Board of Animal Health who is also the chair of a local organization of professional dairy farmers. You may not use the agency facilities to host your organization’s upcoming monthly meeting.
  • You work for the Department of Administration. You may not use the agency’s scanner, computer, printer, and copier to print decorations and posters for the upcoming family reunion you will be hosting at your house.
  • You are employed by the Department of Transportation which issues you a cell phone to use, subject to the department’s written policy on the use of state property which was approved by the State Ethics Commission. You may use the phone to make a personal phone call so long as you comply with the agency’s approved policy.
  • You are an Indiana Department of Environmental Management employee who is issued a state vehicle to drive to and from job sites. You may not use this vehicle when you drive to Florida for vacation.
  • You are a Department of Insurance employee and you work in the office. You are having a New Year's Eve party at your home. You may not print invitations on the office copier.

Past Advisory Opinions on the Rule

The Rule: IC 4-2-6-17 Use of State Property

a. Subject to IC 4-2-7-5 a state officer, employee or special state appointee shall not make use of state materials, funds, property, personnel, facilities or equipment for any purpose other than for official state business unless the use is expressly permitted by a general written agency, departmental or institutional policy or regulation that has been approved by the commission.  The commission may withhold approval of a policy or rule that violates the intent of Indiana law or the code of ethics, even if Indiana law or the code of ethics does not explicitly prohibit that policy or rule.

b.  An individual who violates this rule is subject to action under IC 4-2-6-12.