The Office of Secretary of State issued two interpretive statements clarifying the state’s lobbyist gift ban.

The LaBrant Interpretive Statement prohibits a lobbyist or lobbyist agent from providing a public official any gift, including tickets, if the value of the ticket is over the gift limit of $76, even if the public official reimburses the lobbyist or lobbyist agent for the value of the gift over the limit.

The Michigan Association of Health Plans Interpretive Statement indicates complimentary admission to an educational conference paid by a lobbyist or lobbyist agent for a lawmaker’s attendance is only permissible if the value of the conference admission is equal to or less than the value of the services provided by the attending public official.