Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Michigan rules panel hears proposal to bar officials from subsidizing lobbyist gifts
Summary
Officials from the Bureau of Elections told the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules that a proposed lobby-rule package would codify prior interpretive rulings, clarify how fair market value is determined for gifts, and bar public officials from reimbursing lobbyists to keep a gift under the statutory threshold.
The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules heard testimony on a proposed administrative rule that would clarify how the Lobbying Act treats gifts and reimbursements, and would bar public officials from reimbursing lobbyists to reduce the value of a gift below the statutory threshold.
The proposed rule set, presented by Bureau of Elections staff, would codify earlier interpretive statements and say that "public officials may not reimburse lobbyists in whole or part for the value of the gift that exceeds the act's thresholds," a department witness explained. The rule also clarifies that a payment or exchange of services of "equal or greater value" is not a gift under the Act, and it…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
