Stop Corrupt Gratuities Act

Bill: 118-s-5186
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2024-09-25
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Latest action: action_date: 2024-09-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Summaries:

tv_txt: II 118th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 5186 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 25, 2024 Mr. Merkley (for himself, Ms. Warren , Mr. Whitehouse , and Mr. Welch ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To amend title 18, United States Code, to establish criminal penalties for gratuities given to State and local public officials.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Stop Corrupt Gratuities Act . 2. Prohibition on gratuities given to state and local public officials (a) In general Section 666 of title 18, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking (b) and inserting (c) ; (2) by redesignating subsections (b), (c), and (d) as subsections (c), (d), and (e), respectively; (3) by inserting after subsection (a) the following: (b) Gratuities Whoever, if the circumstance described in subsection (c) of this section exists, otherwise than as provided by law for the proper discharge of official duty— (1) being an agent of an organization, or of a State, local, or Indian tribal government, or any agency thereof, solicits or demands for the benefit of any person, or accepts or agrees to accept, anything of value from any person, intending to be rewarded in connection with any business, transaction, or series of transactions of such organization, government, or agency involving anything of value of $5,000 or more; or (2) gives, offers, or agrees to give, anything of value to any person, with intent to reward an agent of an organization or of a State, local or Indian tribal government, or any agency thereof, in connection with any business, transaction, or series of transactions of such organization, government, or agency involving anything of value of $5,000 or more; shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 2 years, or both. ; and (4) in subsection (c), as so redesignated, by striking subsection (a) and inserting subsections (a) and (b) . (b) Conforming amendments (1) Headings Section 666 of title 18, United States Code, is amended— (A) in the section heading, by striking Theft or bribery and inserting Theft, bribery, or gratuities ; (B) in subsection (a), by striking Whoever and inserting Bribes .—Whoever ; (C) in subsection (c), as so redesignated, by striking The and inserting Covered circumstance .—The ; (D) in subsection (d), as so redesignated, by striking This and inserting Exception for salary, wages, and fees .—This ; and (E) in subsection (e), as so redesignated, by striking As and inserting Definitions .—As . (2) Table of sections The table of sections for chapter 31 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 666 and inserting the following: 666. Theft, bribery, or gratuities concerning programs receiving Federal funds. .