(a) Scope.--The commission may adopt a comprehensive code of conduct applicable to commissioners, employees of the commission, independent contractors and the immediate family of the commissioners, employees and independent contractors to enable them to avoid any perceived or actual conflict of interest and to promote public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the commission.

(b) Restrictions.--In addition to the other prohibitions contained in this chapter, a commissioner shall:

(1) Not accept any discount, gift, gratuity, compensation, travel, lodging or other thing of value, directly or indirectly, from any applicant, licensed racing entity, affiliate, subsidiary or intermediary of an applicant or other licensee.

(2) Disclose a conflict of interest and recuse himself from any hearing or other proceeding in which the commissioner's objectivity, impartiality, integrity or independence of judgment may be reasonably questioned due to the commissioner's relationship or association with a party connected to any hearing or proceeding or a person appearing before the commission.

(3) Refrain from any financial or business dealing which would tend to reflect adversely on the commissioner's objectivity, impartiality or independence of judgment.

(4) Avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety at all times and observe standards and conduct that promote public confidence in the oversight of horse racing.

(5) Comply with any other laws, rules or regulations relating to the conduct of a commissioner.

(6) Except for a commissioner appointed under section 9311(b)(3) (relating to State Horse Racing Commission), not hold or campaign for public office, hold an office in any political party or political committee as defined in 4 Pa.C.S. § 1513(d) (relating to political influence), contribute to or solicit contributions to a political campaign, political party, political committee or candidate, publicly endorse a candidate or actively participate in a political campaign.

(c) (Reserved).

(d) Ex parte communications.--

(1) A commissioner, except the commissioner appointed under section 9311(b)(3), may not engage in any ex parte communication with any person.

(2) If a commissioner received or engaged in an ex parte communication, a commissioner shall inform the director of the appropriate bureau who shall notify all parties directly affected by the anticipated vote or action of the commissioner related to the ex parte communication of the substance of the communication and provide the parties with an opportunity to respond.

(3) A commissioner who engaged in or received an ex parte communication shall disqualify himself from the hearing or proceeding related to the ex parte communication if the context and substance of the communication creates substantial reasonable doubt as to a commissioner's ability to act objectively, independently or impartially.

(4) A commissioner who engaged in or received an ex parte communication and elects not to disqualify himself from the hearing or proceeding shall state the reasons for not disqualifying himself on the record prior to the commencement of the hearing or proceeding.

(5) (Reserved).

(6) Failure of a commissioner who received or engaged in an ex parte communication to disqualify himself under this subsection shall be grounds for appeal to a court of competent jurisdiction if the commission action being appealed could not have occurred without the participation of the commissioner.

(7) This subsection shall not preclude a commissioner from consulting with other commissioners individually if the consultation complies with 65 Pa.C.S. Ch. 7 (relating to open meetings) or with commission employees or independent contractors whose functions are to assist the commission in carrying out its adjudicative functions.