Committee advances bill to bar gratuities for public officials; members debate breadth and definition of ‘public servant’

Representative Slager told the committee that the bill would define prohibited gratuities for public officials and make payments under set thresholds misdemeanors, with larger post‑service payments treated as felonies. Slager said the bill responds to a perceived gap after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling and seeks to prevent post‑hoc payments that look like rewards for official acts: “I think it's not in our best interest to allow public officials to receive payments of any kind for doing their official duty,” he said.

Members questioned the breadth of 'public servant' as defined in Title 35 and whether the bill might cover planning directors, board members and other non‑elected officials. Representative Meltzer pressed on whether the bill intended to reach officers of local units of government, and Slager confirmed that was his intent. Representative Pierce and others urged careful drafting to avoid unintended consequences, and representatives discussed existing case law and exemptions for ceremonial awards and de minimis items. An amendment to increase penalties for intentional commingling when amounts exceed $50,000 was discussed and taken by consent.

The committee moved the bill as amended and took a roll call; the chair said the bill would be held briefly as members in other committees finished. The proceedings recorded an initial favorable tally and the sponsor and members expressed intent to refine definitions on second reading.