The Alabama Ethics Commission on Wednesday approved two advisory opinions allowing former public officials to accept new employment so long as they don’t lobby their former agencies.

The Commission green-lighted a plan for Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller, who retires at year’s end, to consult under contract through the Opelika Industrial Development Authority, advising on ongoing economic development projects and recruitment to incoming mayor Eddie Smith.

Another opinion also permitted Micah Williamson, a former rehabilitation specialist at the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, to become executive director of Darden Rehab, a nonprofit that receives ADRS referral fees.

Assistant General Counsel Brian Paterson said Williamson did not “personally participate in the direct regulation, audit or investigation” of Darden, but he may not represent the nonprofit before ADRS for two years.

The rulings track the Alabama Ethics Act’s “revolving door” provision, which focuses on lobbying: for two years after leaving government, former officials cannot represent a person or business before their former body.

The law also bars ex-officials from taking jobs with entities they personally regulated, audited or investigated, or from soliciting public business from their former employers.

Staff noted a 2019 advisory opinion concluding the revolving-door limit does not apply when an agency itself rehires or contracts with a former official to perform services for that agency.