1997 Wis Eth Bd 12 - LOBBYING AND LOBBYISTS; MEALS, LODGING, TRAVEL AND ENTERTAINMENT

The Ethics Board advises:

A lobbying organization may, consistent with the Ethics Code and lobbying
law, furnish food and drink to state officials at a reception if:

   (1) the organization can demonstrate its genuine attempt to attract the general
         public to the reception;

   (2) the reception is open to the public on the same terms it is available to state
         officials without the purpose or effect of the manner of invitation conferring
         an advantage on a state official greater than that available to the general
         public; and

   (3) either: (a) the organization sets and collects from each state official the
         greater of: [i] the established charge or ticket price, if any, charged others for
         the same or comparable benefit , [ii] the organization’s cost of acquiring the
         goods or services the organization provides, or [iii] the market price of the
         recipient’s independently acquiring like benefits; or (b) the reception is
         unrelated to state officials’ discussion of state government processes or
         issues initiated by or affecting state government.

(October 8, 1997)