Senate Bill No. 1227 seeks to amend the state codes of ethics by increasing various monetary thresholds related to gifts received by public officials and state employees. The bill proposes to repeal and replace subdivision (5) of section 1-79 of the general statutes, redefining "gift" and its exceptions. Key changes include raising the threshold for certain gifts from one dollar to two hundred fifty dollars, increasing the aggregate limit for food and beverage gifts from fifty dollars to one hundred dollars per recipient per calendar year, and allowing gifts for major life events to be valued up to one thousand five hundred dollars. Additionally, it clarifies that food and beverage costs at legislative receptions are capped at one hundred dollars per person and introduces new categories of permissible gifts, such as travel expenses and benefits provided by prospective employers to students.

The bill also proposes amendments to existing laws regarding contracts and lobbying activities. It raises the threshold for contracts that public officials or their immediate families can enter into with the state from one hundred dollars to two hundred fifty dollars, requiring contracts valued at two hundred fifty dollars or more to be awarded through an open process. Furthermore, it increases the reporting threshold for gifts from ten dollars to twenty dollars and modifies the definition of "expenditure" to raise the reporting threshold for paid communications from fifty dollars to one hundred dollars. The bill mandates more frequent financial reporting for lobbyists and requires detailed reporting of expenditures, including an itemized statement for any expenditure of twenty dollars or more per person for public officials. These changes aim to enhance transparency and accountability in the financial dealings of public officials and lobbyists, with an effective date of October 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 1-84, 1-96, 1-96e
GAE Joint Favorable: 1-84, 1-96, 1-96e
File No. 126: 1-84, 1-96, 1-96e