This map and accompanying table display the types of state and territory statutes that govern when a public official may or may not accept a gift. The gift statutes apply to instances where a thing of value is given to an official without a clear quid pro quo and without adequate consideration given in return. They tend to fall into three different categories, which are shown in the map and table as:
- General Restriction
- Source-Based Restriction
- Intent-Based Restriction
“General Restriction” refers to a type of law that prohibits a public official from receiving a gift regardless of whether the giver intends to influence the official and regardless of whether the giver is a prohibited source, such as a person subject to the official’s authority. The idea of a general restriction is that receiving money or value without giving equal consideration in return may potentially create a sense of obligation in the recipient. General gift restrictions simply prohibit officials from potentially becoming indebted to the gift giver’s private interest.
“Source-Based Restriction” refers to a prohibition on gifts given by an interested party, such as a lobbyist or a person working in an industry subject to the official’s authority. The openness of the giver’s interest in influencing the official has led states in various directions. Some states completely prohibit lobbyist gifts to officials (e.g., Colorado). Other states acknowledge that giving gifts and sharing meals and entertainment is an engrained cultural practice that is better limited and subject to disclosure requirements than completely prohibited (e.g., Pennsylvania).
“Intent-Based Restriction” refers to a prohibition on giving or receiving gifts only when the giver intends to influence (or in some cases where the gift would tend to influence) the official in the otherwise impartial discharge of his or her official duties. The conduct that such gift laws prohibit is akin to bribery, but requires no agreement and no specific quid pro quo.
Many states have more than one type of gift restriction, as the map and table show.
For all types of gift laws, definitions and exceptions are important considerations. For example, public officials can generally receive personal gifts from family and friends when they are completely unrelated to official duties. Exceptions also sometimes permit acceptance of hospitality, refreshments, or travel under certain circumstances. Exceptions sometimes apply if a gift or benefit is given to all members of a legislature equally. While this map is a resource for beginning research of a state’s gift laws, the laws are often complex, applying them to idiosyncratic situations can be difficult, and many state ethics commissions advise seeking help from a supervisor or from the ethics commission before accepting a questionable gift or benefit.
Finally, the table accompanying the map includes links to additional resources, such as ethics guides written by a state’s ethics commission or attorney general’s office. The Center for Ethics and Public Integrity welcomes any feedback, correction, or additional information. Please contact Marissa Walker at mwalker@naag.org to provide comments or questions.
Click on a state or territory below to learn more about its gift law statutes.
| State | General Restriction | Source-Based Restriction | Intent-Based Restriction | Gift Definition and Exception | State Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No | Yes Ala. Code §§ 36-25-5(e), 36-25-5.1(a), (b), 36-25-12 | Yes Ala. Code § 36-25-7(a), (b), (c) | Ala. Code § 36-25-1(34)(a), (b), (c), (35), (36) | Alabama’s Public Official Gift Guideline |
| Alaska | Yes Alaska Stat. § 24.60.080(a)(1) | Yes Alaska Stat. § 24.60.080(a)(2) | Yes Alaska Stat. § 39.52.130 | Alaska Stat. §§ 24.60.075 (a)-(e), 24.60.080 (c)-(k) | Code of Judicial Conduct Alaska Ethics Handbook for Legislators (Revised 2/12/2021) Ethics Information for Public Employees Webpage |
| American Samoa | Yes Am. Samoa Code 4.0708 | Yes Am. Samoa Code 4.0708 | No | Webpage Article: “Update: Governor Issues Code of Ethics” (12/26/2021) | |
| Arizona | No | Yes Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§ 41-1232.02, 41-1232.03, 41-1232.08 | Yes Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§ 38-504(C), 41-1232.02(J), 41-1232.03(J) | Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 41-1231(9) | State of Arizona Accounting Manual, Accepting Gifts |
| Arkansas | Yes Ark. Code Ann. § 21-8-801 | Yes Ark. Code Ann. § 21-8-310. Ark. Const. art. 19 § 30; Ark. Const. art. 30; Ark. Const. amend. 94, § 2 | No | Ark. Code Ann. § 21-8-402(5). Ark. Const. Art. 19, § 30(2) | Rules on Prohibition of Gifts from Lobbyists to Certain Public Officials Under Ark. Const. Art. 19, § 30 Rules on Gifts |
| California | Yes Elected Officers: Cal. Gov't Code § 89503. See also Cal. Gov't Code § 89506 (exception for some travel) Judges: Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 170.9 | Yes Cal. Gov't Code § 86203, 86204 | Yes Cal. Gov't Code § 9054 | See substantive sections. | General Rules for Gifts and Honoraria. State Limitations and Restrictions on Gifts, Honoraria, Travel and Loans: A Fact Sheet Local Limitations and Restrictions on Gifts, Honoraria, Travel and Loans: A Fact Sheet Gift of Travel for a Public Purpose Paid for by a 501(c)(3) or Government Entity Academic Scholarships Awarded to an Official or Immediate Family Member |
| Colorado | Yes Colo. Const. Art. 29, § 3(1)-(3), (6) | Yes Colo. Const. Art. 29, § 3(4) | Yes Colo. Rev. Stat. § 24-18-104 | See substantive statutes. | Guide from Colorado LegiSource “Current Gift Ban Amount” Webpage Guidance on Reporting Gifts and Honoraria |
| Connecticut | No | Yes Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 1-84(j), (m), Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 1-97(a) | Yes Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 1-84(f), (g) | Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. §§ 1-79(5), 1-91(7) | Connecticut Public Officials and State Employees Guide to the Code of Ethics |
| Delaware | No | No | Yes Del. Code Ann. tit. 29, § 5806(b) | Del. Code Ann. tit. 29, § 5812(h) | Delaware Gift Laws Delaware Public Integrity Reporting System |
| District of Columbia | Yes 6-B D.C. Mun. Regs. § 1803.2(b) | Yes D.C. Code Ann. § 1-1162.31(a), (b), 6-B D.C. Mun. Regs. § 1803.2(a) | Yes 6-B D.C. Mun. Regs. § 1803.3 | 6-B D.C. Mun. Regs. § 1803.46-B D.C. Mun. Regs. § 1803.5 | Board of Ethics and Government Accountability: It’s Not a Bribe. It’s a Gift . . . Or is it? |
| Florida | No | Yes Fla. Stat. Ann. §§ 11.045(4), 112.3148, 112.3149, 112.3215 | Yes Fla. Stat. Ann. §§ 112.313(2), 838.016(2) | Fla. Stat. Ann. § 112.312 | Overview of Laws Relating to “Things of Value,” Gifts, and Expenditures Florida Commission on Ethics: Guide to the Sunshine Amendment and Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees |
| Georgia | No | Yes Ga. Code Ann. §§ 21-5-30.1, 21-5-72.1; Georgia Executive Branch Code of Ethics, XII | No | Ga. Code Ann. §§ 21-5-3(7), (14), 21-5-70; Georgia Executive Branch Code of Ethics, § 2(10) | Georgia Executive Branch Code of Ethics |
| Guam | No | No | Yes Guam Code Ann. § 15201 | Ethics and Government Employees | |
| Hawaii | Yes Haw. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 84-13(a) | Yes Haw. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 84-11.5 | Yes Haw. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 84-11 | Haw. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 84-11.5(d) | Gifts and the State Ethics Code Questions and Answers on the Gifts Disclosure Law (June 10, 2009) |
| Idaho | No | Yes Idaho Code § 18-1356 | No | Idaho Code § 18-1356(5) | Office of the Attorney General: Idaho Ethics in Government Manual |
| Illinois | No | Yes 5 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 430/10-10, 430/1-5 | No | 5 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 430/10-15 | Executive Ethics Commission: The Gift Ban State Officials and Employees Ethics Act – Summary |
| Indiana | No | Yes Ind. Code Ann. §§ 2-7-5-8, 2-7-5-9; 42 Ind. Admin. Code 1-5-1 | Yes 42 Ind. Admin. Code 1-5-1 | See substantive statutes. | Indiana Gift Rule |
| Iowa | No | Yes Iowa Code § 68B.22 | No | Iowa Code Ann. § 68B.2 | Gift, Honoraria, and Loan Prohibitions for Legislators and Legislative Employees Ethics Manual |
| Kansas | Yes Kan. Stat. Ann. §§ 46-237(a)(1), (b)(1), (e), (f), (g), (h); 46-237a | Yes Kan. Stat. Ann. § 46-237(a)(2), (b)(2), (c), (d), (e), (g) | Yes Kan. Stat. Ann. § 46-237(a)(2), (b)(2), (d), (e) | See substantive statutes. | Guidelines for State Employees Concerning Meals, Gifts, Entertainment & Travel |
| Kentucky | No | No | Yes Ky. Rev. Stat. §§ 6.751(2), 11A.045 | Ky. Rev. Stat. § 6.611(2), (23) | Acceptance of Gifts Executive Branch Ethics Commission – State Employee Resources – Gifts Webpage |
| Louisiana | No | Yes La. Stat. Ann. §§ 42:1115, 42:1115.1 | Yes La. Stat. Ann. § 42:1115(A) | La. Stat. Ann. §§ 42:1102, 42:1115.2, 42:1123 | Gifts: A Summary of the Gift Restrictions Contained in Louisiana’s Code of Governmental Ethics (2019) The Louisiana Code of Governmental Ethics |
| Maine | No | No | Yes Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 1, § 1014(1)(B); Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 17-A, § 605 | Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 1, § 1012(4) | Maine Ethics Commission- Advice to Legislators: Accepting Travel Expenses and Other Gifts Guidelines on Acceptance of Gifts (Updated 2014) |
| Maryland | Yes Md. Code Ann., Gen. Provis. § 5-505(a)(1) | Yes Md. Code Ann., Gen. Provis. § 5-505(a)(2), (b), (d), (e) | Yes Md. Code Ann., Gen. Provis. § 5-505(c), (e), (f) | Md. Code Ann., Gen. Provis. §§ 5-101(p), 5-505(c)(2) | State Ethics Commission: The Gift Law |
| Massachusetts | Yes Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 268A, § 23(a), (b)(2) | Yes Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 268B, § 6 | Yes Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 268A, §§ 2(a), (b), 3(a), (b), (f) | See substantive statutes. | Regulations Pertaining to Gifts Receiving Gifts and Gratuities – Conflict of Interest Law Primer Guides by Type of Conflict Interest – Gifts, Self-Dealing, Misuse of Position, etc. |
| Michigan | No | Yes Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 4.421(2) | Yes Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 15.342(4) | Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 4.414 | State Ethics Act – Standards of Conduct for Public Officers and Employees The Michigan Lobby Registration Act – 2022 Reporting Thresholds, Fees and Penalties |
| Minnesota | Yes Minn. Stat. Ann. § 43A.38(2) | Yes Minn. Stat. Ann. §§ 10A.071, 471.895 | No | See substantive statutes. | Gifts to Public Officials |
| Mississippi | No | No | No | ||
| Missouri | No | Yes Mo. Const. Art. 3, § 2(b); Mo. Exec. Order 18-10(1) (Nov. 20, 2018) | Yes Mo. Ann. Stat. § 105.452(1)(1) | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 105.470(3) | The MEC Guide to Ethics Laws: A Plain English Summary |
| Montana | No | Yes Mont. Code Ann. § 45-7-104(1)-(7) | Yes Mont. Code 2-2-104(1)(b), (2) | Mont. Code Ann. § 2-2-102(3) | Montana’s Code of Ethics and the “Gift Ban” |
| Nebraska | No | Yes Neb. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 49-1490 | Yes Neb. Rev. Stat. Ann § 49-14,101 | Neb. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 49-1423 | Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission Website |
| Nevada | No | Yes Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 218H.930(2), (3) | Yes Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 281A.400(1), 281A.420 | Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 218H.060 | Ethics in Government Manual for Nevada Public Officers and Public Employees: NRS 281A (July 2014) |
| New Hampshire | Yes N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 14-C:3, 15-B:3 | Yes N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 640:5; 15-B:4 | No | N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 14-C:2(III)-(V), 15-B:2(IV), (V), (VI), 15-B:5 | Navigating New Hampshire’s Ethics Laws (Updated March 25, 2009) Summary – Code of Ethics, Gifts and Financial Statements |
| New Jersey | Yes N.J. Admin. Code §§ 19:61-6.9, 19:61-6.5 | Yes N.J. Stat. § 52:13C-21b; N.J. Admin. Code § 19:61-6.4 | Yes N.J. Stat. § 52:13D-14 | See substantive statutes. | State Ethics Commission – Gifts and Favors Plain Language Guide to New Jersey’s Executive Branch Ethics Standards (Revised April 2021) |
| New Mexico | No | Yes N.M. Stat. Ann. § 10-16B-3 | Yes N.M. Stat. Ann. § 10-16-3(D) | N.M. Stat. Ann. § 10-16B-2 | New Mexico Legislative Ethics Guide Basic Public Ethics Law in New Mexico PowerPoint Anti-Donation Clause and Other Gift Restrictions in Government |
| New York | No | Yes N.Y. Legis. Law § 1-m | Yes N.Y. Legis. Law § 1-m; N.Y. Pub. Off. Law § 73(5), (5-a) | N.Y. Legis. Law § 1-c(j) | Gifts: An Overview on the Gift Restrictions for State Officers and Employees New York State Ethics Commission Advisory Opinion No. 94-16: Interpreting Public Officers Law §§73(5) and 74 with Respect to Gifts |
| North Carolina | No | Yes N.C. Gen. Stat. § 138A-32(c), (d), (e), (f) | Yes N.C. Gen. Stat. § 138A-32(a) | N.C. Gen. Stat. § 138A-3(32) | N.C. Ethics Commission – Gift Ban Laws for “Public Servants” Conflicts of Interest Laws for North Carolina Public Officials & Employees (prepared by UNC School of Government) |
| North Dakota | No | Yes N.D. Const. Art. XIV, § 2 (1); N.D. Cent. Code Ann. § 54-05.1-05; N.D. Admin. Code 115-03-01-01 to 115-03-01-04 | Yes N.D. Cent. Code Ann. § 54-05.1-06 | See substantive statutes. | North Dakota Ethics Commission – Frequently Asked Questions |
| Northern Mariana Islands | Yes 1 N. Mar. I. Code § 8551(a) | Yes 1 N. Mar. I. Code § 8551(c), (d) | Yes 1 N. Mar. I. Code § 8551(b) | 1 N. Mar. I. Code § 8551(e)-(h) | |
| Ohio | No | Yes Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 102.031(C), (D) | Yes Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 102.03(D)-(J) | See substantive statutes. | Accepting Gifts, Meals, Entertainment, or Other Things of Value – Ethics Commission Information Sheet Ohio Ethics Commission – Gifts Webpage |
| Oklahoma | Yes 74 Okla. Stat. Ch. 62, Appx. I, Rule 4, Rule 4.11, 4.13, 4.14, 4.15, 4.16, 4.20 | Yes 74 Okla. Stat. Ch. 62, Appx. I, Rule 4, Rule 4.8 to 4.12; 74 Okla. Stat. Ch. 62, Appx. I, Rule 5, Rule 5.6 to 5.18 | Yes Okla. Const. art. IX, § 40 | 74 Okla. Stat. Ch. 62, Appx. I, Rule 4, Rule 4.22 | Ethics Commission Advisory Opinion |
| Oregon | No | Yes Or. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 244.025 | No | Or. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 244.020 (7), (8) | Oregon Government Ethics A Guide for Public Officials |
| Pennsylvania | Yes 65 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 1105(b) | Yes 65 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 13A05 (b)(2) | Yes 65 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 1103 (b), (c) | 65 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 13A03 | Pennsylvania Public Official and Employee Ethics Act |
| Puerto Rico | Yes 3 L.P.R.A. § 1857a(b); 3 L.P.R.A. § 1858c(e)(3) | Yes 3 L.P.R.A. § 1857a(a) | Yes 3 L.P.R.A. § 1857a(d), (e) | 3 L.P.R.A. § 1854(ee) | |
| Rhode Island | No | Yes 520-00 R.I. Code R. § 36-14-5009 | Yes R.I. Gen. Laws Section 36-14-5(g), (i), (l) | See substantive statutes. | State of Rhode Island Ethics Commission – Guide to Gifts |
| South Carolina | No | Yes S.C. Code Ann. §§ 2-17-80, 2-17-90, 2-17-100, 2-17-110(F)-(J), 8-13-710 | Yes S.C. Code Ann. § 8-13-705 | See substantive statutes. | South Carolina Advisory Opinions on Gifts |
| South Dakota | No | Yes S.D. Codified Laws § 2-12-16 | Yes S.D. Codified Laws § 2-12-9 | S.D. Codified Laws § 2-12-18 | South Dakota – State Employee Handbook |
| Tennessee | No | Yes Tenn. Code Ann. § 3-6-304(d)-(j), (n); Tenn. Code Ann. § 3-6-305 | Yes Tenn. Code Ann. § 3-6-304(a), (c) | Tenn. Code Ann. § 3-6-301(10) | Tennessee BECF - Gifts Tennessee BECF – Exceptions to Gift Prohibitions |
| Texas | Yes Tex. Penal Code § 36.07 | Yes Tex. Gov't Code §§ 305.024, 305.025; Tex. Penal Code §§ 36.08 to 36.10 | No | Tex. Penal Code § 36.01(3) | Texas Lobby Guide Texas Acceptance of Benefits Texas Ethics Commission, A Guide to Ethics Laws for State Officers and Employees Texas “Can I Take It?” Guides: Executive Branch Legislative Branch Ethics, Gift, and Honorarium Laws Made Easy |
| Utah | No | Yes Utah Code Ann. §§ 36-11-304, 36-11-102(11) | Yes Utah Code Ann. § 67-16-5 | See substantive statutes. | |
| Vermont | Yes Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 3, § 1203g | Yes Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 2, §§ 261(6), 264(b)(3), 266 | No | Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 2, § 261(6) Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 3, § 1203g | Quick Summary: Vermont Code of Ethics for State Public Servants |
| Virginia | Yes Va. Code Ann. §§ 2.2-3103(9), 30-103 (11) | Yes Va. Code Ann. §§ 2.2-3103, 30-103, 30-103.1 | Yes Va. Code Ann. §§ 2.2-3103(5), (6), 30-103(5), (6) | Va. Code Ann. §§ 30-101, 30-103.2 | |
| Virgin Islands | |||||
| Washington | Yes Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 42.52.150 (1)-(3), (5) | Yes Wash. Rev. Code Ann. §§ 42.52.130, 42.52.150(4) | Yes Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 42.52.140 | Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 42.52.010(9) | Guidance on Gifts Ethics in Public Service Act - Gifts |
| West Virginia | No | Yes [W. Va. Code §§ 6B-2-5(c)(1), (2), 61-5A-6 | Yes W. Va. Code § 6B-2-5(a), (c) | See substantive statutes. | West Virginia Ethics Commission Guideline – Gift Guideline |
| Wisconsin | Yes Wis. Stat. Ann. §§ 19.45(3m), 19.56 | Yes Wis. Stat. Ann. § 13.625 | Yes Wis. Stat. Ann. § 19.45(2), (3) | Wis. Stat. Ann. § 19.42(1), (6) | Standards of Conduct for State Public Officials, Lobbyists, And Lobbyists’ Employers For State and Local Public Officials – Disposition and Reporting of Gifts Gifts, Improper Use of Office, Lobbying |
| Wyoming | Yes Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 9-13-103 | No | No | Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 9-13-102(a)(i), (a)(ii), (a)(vi) | Ethics Guide for Legislators |
