Similarly, legislators and legislative candidates sponsoring campaign fundraising events have traditionally provided each other with complimentary admission to these events. The answer is no. In reaching this conclusion, we assume that admissions would be truly complimentary and that no admission payments would be made by third parties. While the Act does not contain specific language dealing with the acceptance of the complimentary admission specified in the question, it does contain provisions indicating generally that acceptance of such admission would not violate the Act. Legislators have traditionally been requested by political parties and legislative candidates to appear at party functions and legislative fundraisers.
Legislators are often part of a host committee or have some other role in supporting the event.
At the least, their attendance is requested to show support for the party or the candidate. It is also customary and accepted practice not to charge these individuals or to offer them a reduced charge in exchange for their presence. The Act is not intended to alter this political relationship between the political parties, legislators and legislative candidates. If, however, a third person pays for attendance, a gift analysis applying the Act's gift prohibitions and limitations will likely be appropriate. If such a purchase occurs, we would not consider the admission to be complimentary.