City Council President Herb Wesson abandoned a plan to increase the value of gifts lawmakers can accept from companies seeking city contracts, opting to leave the amount unchanged at $100.

In October, City Council instructed the city’s lawyers to draft an ordinance increasing the gift limit to $150, despite a recommendation by the Ethics Commission to prohibit most gifts of any value.

The city’s ethics law will continue to bar lobbyists from giving gifts to elected officials and other high-level decision makers.

Those who do not have business before the city will continue to be permitted to give gifts to elected officials within the state limit of $440 per year. –

Trenton’s recently established ethics board passed the city’s first code of ethics last week. The long-awaited code outlines behavioral guidelines for elected officials, city employees, and representatives serving on city boards. Included are provisions regarding conflicts of interest, receipt of gifts, and financial disclosure.

Additionally, the code permits the ethics board to investigate possible ethics violations.

The code will go to the state Department of Community Affairs before it is enacted and added to the code book.

The Hawaii State Ethics Commission issued four Informal Advisory Opinions pertaining to a state official’s receipt of complimentary event tickets. A state agency may have a legitimate state interest in giving an agency board member a ticket to an agency event. In that scenario the tickets are not considered “gifts” under Hawaii gift law. Rather, they are “state assets” and distribution must be evaluated in accordance with the fair treatment law under the State Ethics Code.

Agency board officials may accept two complimentary tickets per agency event – one for the official and the other for the official’s spouse or significant other. An official’s use of complimentary tickets for additional personal guests constitutes unfair compensation and is, therefore, prohibited. Moreover, transferring complimentary tickets to family members to attend events in the official’s place is also a likely violation of the fair treatment law.

Lobbying

“Cooley-Dow Lohnes merger leaves lobbyists out” by Catherine Ho in The Washington Post.

“Hotel trade group shakes up lobby team” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.

Alabama: “Bill aims to discourage lawmakers from departing for lobbying positions” by Brian Lyman in the Montgomery Advertiser.

Florida: “As lawmakers consider audits, documents show how lawmakers-turned-lobbyists help tip the scales for large lobbying firms” by Matt Dixon in The Florida Time-Union.

Texas: “Candidates to lead Texas accept meals, gifts, more from lobbyists” by Christy Hoppe in The Dallas Morning News.

Campaign Finance

California: “Disgorgement Fight Could Shape Dark Money’s Future in CA” by Ben Adler in Capital Public Radio.

California: “California probe of campaign donations sheds light on ‘dark money’” by Chris Megerian and Anthony York in the Los Angeles Times.

Washington: “Washington elections draw big out-of-state donations” by Brian M. Rosenthal in The Spokesman-Review.

Ethics

California: “Gifts and elected officials” by Bennett Kessler in Sierra Wave.

New York: “JCOPE leader ballot splits commission 9-5” by James M. Odato in the Times Union.

South Carolina: “State House for Sale: Big businesses pay off in jobs, political contributions” by Jeff Wilkinson in The State.

Elections

“Federal Election Commission Lists 2014 Election Dates” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call’s Political MoneyLine.

Iowa: “Koch Group Has Ambitions in Small Races” by John Eligon in The New York Times.

New York: “N.Y. to run voter hotline on Election Day” by The Associated Press in the Times Union.

City Council instructed the city’s lawyers to draft an ordinance increasing the gift limit to $150 for gifts provided by bidders, contractors, and other restricted sources. Currently, people doing business with the city can provide gifts to city officials valued at $100 or less per calendar year.

Recently, the Los Angeles Ethics Commission recommended curtailing gifts to city officials, hoping to boost public confidence in government. The commission’s recommendation would have extended the current ban on gifts from lobbyists to all people with a financial stake in city decisions.

Photo of the Los Angeles City Hall by Brion Vibber on Wikipedia.

Q. I am a registered lobbyist with a personal relationship with a state legislator.  I would like to give her a gift for a special occasion.  Is this permissible?

A. As a registered lobbyist, you should always be aware of the restrictions placed on you for providing things of value to a state official.  A number of jurisdictions have strict “no gift” laws in place.  Wisconsin prohibits a lobbyist from providing things of pecuniary value to a legislator with very limited exceptions.

A gift can be permissible based on the personal relationship between the lobbyist and the legislator.  Texas and Florida allow gifts between a registered lobbyist and a legislator if they are related to a certain degree.  Please note that jurisdictions can examine the circumstances of the gift such as the extent of the relationship between the lobbyist and the legislator.  The lack of a history of gift giving between the parties or evidence of a personal relationship may render the gift impermissible.  The federal “friendship” exception also does not apply to state and local jurisdictions.

A registered lobbyist may be allowed to give a gift based on the special occasion or reasoning behind it.  In Massachusetts, a lobbyist may give a legislator gifts on certain occasions of religious or personal significance.  Connecticut allows gifts for certain major life events.  Be sure to confirm if any occasions are excluded.  Massachusetts does not consider a birthday to be an occasion of personal significance!

A gift may not be prohibited even if you are a registered lobbyist.  Confirm whether an intended gift is permissible with your state’s ethics office.

You can directly submit questions for this feature, and we will select those most appropriate and answer them here. Send your questions to: marketing@stateandfed.com.

(We are always available to answer questions from clients that are specific to your needs, and we encourage you to continue to call or e-mail us with questions about your particular company or organization. As always, we will confidentially and directly provide answers or information you need.) Our replies to your questions are not legal advice. Instead, these replies represent our analysis of laws, rules, and regulations.

The city Board of Ethics has proposed new gift regulations designed to clarify what is and is not permitted under the city code. The proposed limits would allow city officers and employees to accept gifts of up to $200 per year from a single source, including cash gifts up to $50. Currently, only gifts of substantial economic value given with the expectation of influencing the public official or employee are prohibited.

City watchdogs have criticized the proposed limits as being too lenient, but ethics board member Sanjuanita Gonzales suggested those limits could be subject to change after public input.

A hearing on the proposed regulations is scheduled for November 20.

The city is seeking to upgrade the city’s ethics code. Several changes have been proposed, including expanded penalties for violations, expanding the scope to cover people, adding a revolving door provision, and increasing the specificity of the gift definition.

Once finalized, approval by city council is expected early next year.

Photo of Spokane by Mark Wagner on Wikimedia Commons.

Lobbying

“The Scent Industry Expands Lobbying Efforts” by JM Rieger in Roll Call.

Campaign Finance

“3 easy steps to avoid the threat of FEC penalties” by Emily Tadlock in Campaigns & Elections.

Ethics

Arkansas: “Special prosecutor sought in senator’s ethics case” by the Arkansas News Bureau.

Connecticut: “Mayor to toughen ethics code” by Brian Lockhart in the Connecticut Post.

Ohio: “Ohio Dem leader: Kasich ethics question unresolved” by Julie Carr Smyth (Associated Press) on Cincinnati.com.

Virginia: “Prosecuting Bob McDonnell no slam dunk” by James Hohmann and Elizabeth Titus in Politico.

From the State Legislatures

Pennsylvania: “Another Push Begins to Shrink Pennsylvania Legislature” by Karen Langley in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Redistricting

Kentucky: “Kentucky House panel to take up redistricting bill” by The Associated Press in WPSD News.

Lobbying

“Lobby shop hires former Obama campaign staffer” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.

Massachusetts: “Fmr Sen. Brian Lees to join lobbying firm of former rival” by Andy Metzger on WWLP News.

Campaign Finance

“EMILY’S List Raises Almost $10 Million For Women Candidates” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.

Missouri: “Significant campaign donor challenges proposed Mo. ballot measure seeking to cap contributions” by The Associated Press in the Daily Journal.

Virginia: “Pro-Cuccinelli PAC gets $500,000 donation from New York hedge fund executive” by Ben Pershing in The Washington Post.

Ethics

Illinois: “Jesse Jackson Jr. to be sentenced in D.C.” by The Associated Press on ABC7 News.

New York: “Ethics panel survey launched” by Rick Karlin in the Albany Times Union.

New York: “Cuomo real estate donors among Moreland subpoena targets” by Jimmy Vielkind in the Albany Times Union.

Texas: “Biggest Ethics Reforms Died on Governor’s Desk” by Ross Ramsey and Todd Wiseman in the Texas Tribune.

Utah: “House looks to hire investigators for Swallow probe” by Robert Gehrke in The Salt Lake Tribune.

Virginia: “Governor has returned ‘tangible’ gifts, legal team says” by Olympia Meola in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Elections

“E-Voting: It May Be a While” by Ed Smith in NCSL’s The Thicket.

Procurement

“Small Businesses Scrambling More for Federal Contracts” by Charles S. Clark in Government Executive.

Redistricting

Alabama: “Testimony concludes in lawsuit challenging legislative districts” by The Associated Press in The Birmingham News.

Alaska: “State Dem party sues over redistricting map” by The Associated Press in the Anchorage Daily News.

From the State Legislatures

Minnesota: “Dayton: No limits, no special session” by Baird Helgeson in the Star Tribune.

Lobbying

“100 People to Watch This Fall” in The Hill.

“Legislators head to Chicago for ALEC retreat” by Elizabeth Crisp in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Campaign Finance

New York: “Moreland panel issues its first subpoenas” by Jimmy Vielkind in the Albany Times Union.

Ethics

Public Corruption Convictions: State Totals, 2001-2010 in Governing.

New York: “Bruno trial is a go” by Brendan J. Lyons in the Albany Times Union.

New York: “Court Rules Bruno May Face Fraud Charges” by The Associated Press in The New York Times.

Virginia: “Support lacking for Cuccinelli’s quick ethics reform” by Julian Walker in The Virginian-Pilot.

Virginia: “Virginia Lt. Gov. Bolling calls for gift and ethics reform” by Rosalind S. Helderman in The Washington Post.

From the State Legislatures

Kansas: “Brownback signs resolution for special session” by Tim Carpenter in the Topeka Capital-Journal.

NCSL 2013 Legislative Summit Online Resources

Government Tech and Social Media

“Analysis: How Twitter Is Revolutionizing Washington Relationships” by Matthew Cooper in NextGov.

Massachusetts: “MA Democratic Primary Candidates To Participate In Crowdsourced Online Debate” by Sarah Lai Stirland in TechPresident.

New York: “Elections to Be Easier for Voters With an App” by Nick Corasaniti in The New York Times.

Redistricting

Congressional District Compactness, Gerrymandering By State in Governing.

Lobbying

“K Street powerhouse lobbies for green energy tax bill” by Ben Geman in The Hill.

Campaign Finance

New York: “Reform advocate spends big money” by Jimmy Vielkind in the Times Union.

New York: “Citing Irregularities, City Board Rejects Public Money for Liu’s Campaign” by David W. Chen in The New York Times.

Ethics

“FEC commissioner: New emails could tie agency to IRS targeting” by Blake Neff in The Hill.

Missouri: “Creator of Missouri Ethics Commission nominated for federal bench” by Jo Mannies in the St. Louis Beacon.

New Hampshire: “Ethics committee: Special E-ZPasses don’t violate gift limits for N.H. lawmakers” by Ben Leubsdorf in the Concord Monitor.

New Jersey: “Appeals court affirms dismissal of ethics complaint against assemblyman” by Matt Friedman in the Star-Ledger.

Utah: “Panel investigating Attorney General John Swallow to hold first meeting” by John Swallow in the Deseret News.

Virginia: “Cuccinelli pushes for special session on ethics rules” by Julian Walker in The Virginian-Pilot.

Redistricting

California: “SoCal Rep. Lowenthal takes a big swing at redistricting with new bill” by Kitty Felde on KPCC News.

Q. I will be attending the NCSL conference this summer.  Do regular gift limits on expenditures for public officials apply during this event?

A. The answer will vary depending upon whether you are paying for a private event or sponsoring a conference-affiliated event.  Taking a legislator to dinner, paying for cab fare or other transportation, or giving him or her a ticket to a ballgame are not considered part of the official conference agenda and normal gift limits will apply.  Also, for private events, the answer will depend upon whether you or your company are registered as a lobbyist or lobbyist employer.  In most instances, states have more stringent gift laws applicable to lobbyists and lobbyist principals.

Many states have gift limit exceptions specifically carved out for expenditures at national conferences to which all members of the legislature are invited. Further, State Night events at NCSL are considered part of the conference agenda; therefore, when national conference gift exceptions exist, they will apply.

Although a State Night sponsorship may be permissible, it is important to determine if and when the expenditure must be disclosed.  Know the reporting requirements before the event, because an attendee list may be required. The reporting implications range from simple aggregate disclosure to detailed reporting where the name of every legislator attending must be listed.

You can directly submit questions for this feature, and we will select those most appropriate and answer them here. Send your questions to: marketing@stateandfed.com.

(We are always available to answer questions from clients that are specific to your needs, and we encourage you to continue to call or e-mail us with questions about your particular company or organization. As always, we will confidentially and directly provide answers or information you need.) Our replies to your questions are not legal advice. Instead, these replies represent our analysis of laws, rules, and regulations.

The Legislative Ethics Commission has renewed its 2012 recommendations for several changes to the code of legislative ethics.

The recommended changes include:

• requiring employers of lobbyists to report the cost of advertising supporting or opposing legislation that appears during a session of the general assembly, if the cost is paid by an employer of lobbyists or a person affiliated with an employer;

• prohibiting employers of lobbyists and PACs from making campaign contributions to legislative candidates or legislators during a regular session of the general assembly, and prohibiting lobbyists from directly soliciting contributions for an election campaign of a legislator or legislative candidate;

• repeal the provision allowing each lobbyist and employer to spend up to $100 annually on food and beverages for each legislator and his or her immediate family, and prohibit lobbyists and employers from paying for out-of-state travel, food, or lodging expenses for legislators or candidates; and

• limiting the interaction between lobbyists and candidates who have filed to run for election to the general assembly, who are currently not subject to the $100 limit on food and beverage or prohibition on receiving anything of value from a lobbyist or employer.