The bill sSB434 File No. 485 seeks to amend the state codes of ethics by adjusting the monetary thresholds for gifts and expenditures. It increases the value limits for various categories of gifts, such as ceremonial awards (from less than $100 to less than $250), food or beverage at events (from less than $50 to less than $100 per person), and gifts for major life events (from $1,000 to $1,500). The bill also raises the annual gift threshold from a donor to a recipient from $50 to $100 and specifies new exemptions for certain types of gifts, including commercially reasonable loans and informational material. Minor gifts are now capped at $20 per item, with a total annual limit of $100. The bill includes changes to section 1-84 of the 2024 supplement to the general statutes, with an effective date of October 1, 2024.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the definitions and reporting requirements for lobbying activities. It increases the threshold for food and beverage expenses at receptions to $100 per person and allows for gifts up to $250 in aggregate. The definition of a "lobbyist" now includes those with expenditures or compensation totaling $3,000 or more annually. Reporting thresholds for client lobbyist registrants have been raised to $250 for lobbying activities, with detailed itemized statements required for each expenditure of $20 or more. The bill also adjusts the reporting requirements for expenditures made by former registrants and mandates the preservation of financial documents for three years. The bill repeals and substitutes sections of the general statutes, introduces gender-neutral terms, and indicates no fiscal impact to the state or municipalities. The effective date for these changes is October 1, 2024, and the bill has passed the Government Administration and Elections Committee with unanimous support.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 1-96, 1-96e
GAE Joint Favorable Substitute: 1-96, 1-96e
File No. 485: 1-96, 1-96e