2014 Oklahoma Statutes
Title 74E. Ethics Rules
Rule 4.15. Acceptance of Meals and Other Benefits for Conference Presentations.

A state officer or employee approved by the chief administrative officer of the agency to participate as a speaker or panel participant or otherwise to present information on behalf of the agency at a conference or other event may accept free attendance at the event on the day of his or her presentation when the free attendance is provided by the sponsor of the event. Free attendance may include meals, refreshments, entertainment, instruction and materials made available to other participants. The sponsor of the event may also provide transportation and lodging to the state officer or employee if transportation and lodging are made available to others participating as speakers, panel participants or presenters. The state officer or employee’s spouse may also accept free attendance and participation in the event. The state officer or employee’s spouse may also accept lodging but not transportation. The state officer or employee or the state officer or employee’s spouse may not accept meals, refreshments, entertainment, transportation or lodging that are collateral to the event or that are not paid for by the sponsor of the event that would otherwise be prohibited by these Rules. No vendor or vendor’s agent may pay for, or reimburse the sponsor of the event for, any gifts to the state officer or employee or the state officer or employee’s spouse that are part of the free attendance and participation provided to the state officer or employee or the state officer or employee’s spouse. However, membership dues or sponsorships customarily and historically paid by a vendor or vendor’s agent to a sponsoring organization shall not be considered payment for, or reimbursement for, such costs.

Promulgated by Ethics Commission January 10, 2014; effective upon Legislature’s sine die adjournment May 23, 2014; operative January 1, 2015.