PRINTER'S NO. 46
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
39
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY SACCONE, BAKER, DEAN, MURT, D. COSTA AND GILLEN,
JANUARY 23, 2017
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, JANUARY 23, 2017
AN ACT
Amending Title 65 (Public Officers) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, in ethics standards and financial
disclosure, prohibiting certain transportation, lodging,
hospitality and gifts.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Title 65 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes is amended by adding a section to read:
ยง 1103.1. Transportation, lodging, hospitality and gifts.
(a) General rule.--No public official or employee shall
solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any transportation,
lodging or hospitality or anything of economic value as a gift
from any person who:
(1) Has or is seeking a contractual, business or
financial relationship with the public official's or
employee's governmental body, including the acquisition of a
grant or loan.
(2) Is compensated to influence the passage or defeat of
legislation by the public official's or employee's
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governmental body.
(3) Conducts operations or activities which are
regulated by the public official's or employee's governmental
body.
(4) Has an economic interest which may be substantially
affected by the performance or nonperformance of the public
official's or employee's official job duties.
(b) Exceptions.--The prohibition stated in subsection (a)
shall not apply to the following:
(1) Gifts from a relative or friend, unless the relative
or friend is in a restricted relationship as delineated in
subsection (a). The term "friend" shall not include a
registered lobbyist or principal.
(2) A "contribution," as defined in section 1621 of the
act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the
Pennsylvania Election Code, lawfully made under that act.
(3) Informational materials that are sent to the office
of the public official in the form of books, articles,
periodicals, other written materials, audiotapes, videotapes
or other forms of communication for nonentertainment
purposes.
(4) Awards or prizes that are given to competitors in
contests or events open to the public, including random
drawings.
(5) Honorary degrees and awards and associated travel,
food, refreshments and entertainment provided in the
presentation of the degrees and awards.
(6) Training provided to a public official or public
employee, if the training is in the interest of the
governmental entity. This paragraph shall include food and
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refreshments furnished to all attendees as an integral part
of the training.
(7) An educational mission, including a meeting with
government officials, either foreign or domestic, intended to
educate public officials on matters of public policy, to
which the public official may be invited to participate along
with other Federal, State or local public officials and
community leaders.
(8) Anything paid for by the Federal, State or other
government or governmental entity under a government
contract.
(9) A plaque, trophy or other item that is substantially
commemorative in nature and has minimal value.
(10) Light food or refreshments, such as hors d'oeuvres,
provided in a group setting and intended for mass consumption
and not intended for the consumption of a specific employee.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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