Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/23pdf/23-108_8n5a.pdf
Page Number: 7

Cite as:  603 U. S. ____ (2024) 

3 

Opinion of the Court 

like  certain  speaking  engagements.  E.g.,  Ark.  Code  Ann. 
§5–52–108  (2016).    Some  States  make  accepting  gifts  for
official conduct a misdemeanor.  E.g., Del. Code Ann., Tit. 
11,  §1206  (Cum.  Supp.  2022);  W.  Va.  Code  Ann.  §61–5A–
9(d).  Other States make it a felony.  E.g., Ariz. Rev. Stat. 
Ann. §§38–505(A), 38–510(A)(1) (2019).  

Many  States  make  exceptions  for  certain  gifts,  such  as
gifts  from  friends  or  family,  travel  reimbursements, 
campaign contributions, and ceremonial gifts like honorary
degrees and plaques.  E.g., Colo. Const., Art. XXIX, §3(3); 
Mass. Gen. Laws, ch. 268A, §§3(f), 23(f); N. Y. Legis. Law 
Ann.  §1–c(j)  (West  Cum.  Supp.  2024);  W.  Va.  Code  Ann. 
§61–5A–6(b).

Like the States, the counties, cities, and towns of America 
take  various  approaches  to  regulating  gratuities  to  their 
officials.  Just  within  the  State  of  Indiana,  where  the 
current case arose, some local governments set a gift limit 
of $50, or $100, or $200, or $300.  E.g., Butler, Ind., Code of 
Ordinances  §30.27(G)  (2019);  Gary,  Ind.,  Municipal  Code 
§2–472(b)(1)  (2021);  Valparaiso,  Ind.,  Code  of  Ordinances
§36.05(B)(6)  (2024);  Noblesville,  Ind.,  Code  of  Ordinances
§36.05(B)(2) (2024).

Some prohibit gifts only from business entities currently
doing  business  with  the  local  government.    E.g.,  Carmel, 
Ind.,  Code  of  Ordinances  §2–184(f)(3)  (2024).  Others 
restrict  gifts  from  businesses  bidding  for  government 
contracts.  E.g., Johnson County, Ind., Code of Ordinances
§4–6–1–1 (2024). 

With  respect  to  gratuities  to  state  and  local  officials, 
many of those officials are part-time and are allowed to hold 
outside employment.  That reality can create complications 
for  regulating  gifts  to  those  officials,  and  the  rules  often 
reflect that reality. 

Meanwhile, Congress has established federal standards
for  federal  officials. 
In  1962,  Congress  passed  and
President Kennedy signed into law 18 U. S. C. §201, which