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§ 120C-102. Advisory opinions.

(a) At the request of any person affected by this Chapter, the Commission shall render advisory opinions on specific questions involving the meaning and application of this Chapter and that person's compliance therewith. The request shall be in writing and relate to real or reasonably anticipated fact settings or circumstances. The Commission shall issue advisory opinions having prospective application only. Good faith reliance upon a requested written advisory opinion on a specific matter shall immunize the designated individual, lobbyist, lobbyist's principal, or other person requesting that written advisory opinion from all of the following:

(1) Investigation by the Commission.
(2) Any adverse action by the employing entity.
(3) Investigation by the Secretary of State.

(b) Staff to the Commission may issue advisory opinions under procedures adopted by the Commission.

(c) The Commission shall publish its advisory opinions at least once a year, edited as necessary to protect the identities of the individuals requesting opinions.

(d) Except as provided under subsection (c) of this section, requests for advisory opinions and advisory opinions issued pursuant to this section are confidential and not matters of public record. Staff to the Commission may share all information related to requests made under subsection (a) of this section with staff of the Office of the Secretary of State, and staff of the Office of the Secretary of State shall treat that information as confidential and not a public record. The Commission shall forward an unedited copy of each advisory opinion under this section to the Secretary of State at the time the advisory opinion is issued to the requestor, and the Secretary of State shall treat that unedited advisory opinion as confidential and not a public record.

(e) Requests for advisory opinions may be withdrawn by the requestor at any time prior to the issuance of an advisory opinion.