Created by the Georgia General Assembly in 1974 by the Campaign Financial Disclosure Act, the State Ethics Commission first provide public disclosure of campaign contributions and expenditures for people seeking state or local offices. The Secretary of State office was designated as the liaison between the Georgia citizens and the commission.

Though the Campaign Financial Disclosure Act was repealed in 1986, it was replaced the the Ethics in Government Act and the commission has continued under the title "State Ethics Commission."

Additional Sources: Jackson, Edwin L. and Mary E. Stakes. Handbook of Georgia State Agencies (Athens: Carl Vinson Institute of Georgia, 1988). OCGA Chapter 21-5 Ga L. 1986 p. 957