1997 Wis Eth Bd 16 - MEALS, LODGING, TRAVEL AND ENTERTAINMENT; LOBBYING AND LOBBYISTS

The Ethics Board advises that:

(1) Both state and local officials may participate in a round-trip train
     excursion that celebrates a lobbying organization’s 10th anniversary;

(2) The lobbying organization should not furnish refreshments to elected
     state officials or to state agency officials whose responsibilities relate to rulemaking;
     and

(3) Local public officials and non-elected state officials whose responsibilities
     do not involve state rule-making may pay for and partake of the food
     and drink that is offered in connection with the proposed event. The official
     should pay the greater of [i] the established charge to others for the
     refreshments, [ii] the organization’s cost of providing the refreshments, or
     [iii] the fair market value of the recipient’s independently acquiring like
     items at a comparable event.

(October 9, 1997)