Commission on Public Integrity Revises Gift Regulations

This week, the Commission on Public Integrity notified lobbyists and clients via e-mail that it has modified its proposed gift regulations for lobbyists and clients, which were originally published in the State Register last August.

Because the Commission has incorporated many of the suggestions made by the public into the new proposed regulations, the State Administrative Procedures Act (SAPA) requires an additional public comment period and publication in the State Register.

The e-mail notes that since the Commission approved the revisions to the proposed regulations at its February 15, 2011 meeting, Commission staff will rely on them when providing guidance to lobbyists and clients.

Significant revisions in the new regulations include:

–          specifically permitting public officials and employees to accept complimentary attendance at bona fide charitable or political events

–          defining permissible beverages (those which can be offered to or accepted by a public official or employee) to include “non-alcoholic beverages such as regular coffee, tea, water and soft drinks,” and permissible food to include “snack items such as cookies, crackers, or pretzels.”

Anyone who wishes to submit written comments to the Commission staff may send them to Kathleen Burgess, Associate Counsel at [email protected], or Commission on Public Integrity, 540 Broadway, Albany, New York 12207.