Pennsylvania officials would face gift limits with several exceptions

Public officials, public employees, nominees, and candidates would generally be barred from seeking or accepting cash gifts and noncash gifts above the limit. The noncash limit would apply when gifts from one giver total more than $50 in market value or actual cost during a calendar year. Exceptions would cover certain personal gifts, lawful campaign contributions, and listed benefits connected to work, education, or public events. Other exceptions would cover small tokens, shared refreshments, and certain awards or public welfare resources. Lobbyists and their employees could not qualify as friends, but separate exceptions would cover major life events and gifts clearly motivated by a romantic relationship. The family, friend, and romantic relationship exceptions would not cover cash gifts to nominees or candidates. Exceptions would not excuse gifts given or accepted with an understanding that they would influence an official decision. The gift rules would take effect 60 days after enactment.

Financial disclosure filers would report gift sources, amounts, and circumstances, along with payments or reimbursements for transportation, lodging, or hospitality. The gift rule would cover gifts totaling $50 or less. The transportation, lodging, and hospitality rule would have no stated dollar threshold. Gift reporting would exclude gifts covered by the family, friend, major life event, and romantic relationship exceptions, plus light refreshments shared in a group. Transportation, lodging, and hospitality reporting would exclude benefits covered by those personal relationship and major life event exceptions. Disclosures would cover the prior calendar year. These rules would take effect 60 days after enactment.

Financial disclosure filers would report the sources and circumstances of covered honoraria, awards, and prizes. Reporting would cover honoraria worth more than $50 and awards or prizes totaling more than $500. Honoraria can include commemorative items, such as plaques. Filers would give each source’s name and address. They would also report the amounts of covered awards or prizes. Disclosures would cover the prior calendar year. These rules would take effect 60 days after enactment.