For purposes of Chapter 102. of the Administrative Code:

(A) "Advisory opinion" means an opinion rendered by the commission or staff in response to a question concerning ethics, conflicts of interest, financial disclosure, or any other topic covered by Chapter 102. or section 2921.42 or 2921.43 of the Revised Code.

(1) "Formal advisory opinion" means an opinion reviewed and voted upon by the commission at an open meeting that includes the elements described in paragraph (B)(1) of rule 102-3-01 of the Administrative Code.

(2) "Informal advisory opinion" means an opinion written to an individual under the authority of the commission and reviewed and voted upon by the commission at an open meeting that includes the elements described in paragraph (B)(2) of rule 102-3-01 of the Administrative Code.

(3) "Staff advisory opinion" means an opinion written by a staff member, not reviewed or voted on by the commission, that is based on prior formal or informal opinions of the commission and includes the elements described in paragraph (B)(3) of rule 102-3-01 of the Administrative Code.

(B) "Chair" or "chairman" means the member of the commission elected as chairman pursuant to section 102.05 of the Revised Code.

(C) "Charge" means any allegation or other information, from any source, which alleges or indicates that a violation of Chapter 102. or section 2921.42 or 2921.43 of the Revised Code may have occurred.

(D) "Commission" means the Ohio ethics commission created pursuant to section 102.05 of the Revised Code.

(E) "Complainant" means any person, including the commission, a member of the commission, or an employee of the commission, who has filed a complaint with the commission.

(F) "Complaint" means a formal complaint filed with or initiated by the commission in accordance with section 102.06 of the Revised Code, concerning conduct alleged to be in violation of Chapter 102. or section 2921.42 or 2921.43 of the Revised Code.

(G) "Designee" means any person who is designated to serve in the place of another public official or employee for a board, commission, council, agency, department, or other such entity.

(H) "Executive Director" means the executive director appointed by the commission pursuant to section 102.05 of the Revised Code.

(I) "Mail" means regular United States first class mail, unless specified otherwise.

(J) "Party" means the commission, the respondent, or their representatives.

(K) "Representative" means any person whom the commission has authorized to appear or act on its behalf, or any person whom the complainant, respondent, or a witness has authorized to appear or act, on his or her behalf, as counsel before the commission.

(L) "Respondent" means a person against whom a complaint or charge has been filed with the commission.

(M) "Staff" means the executive director and any other employee of the commission.