2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 74E. Ethics Rules › Rule 4.15. Benefits arising from presenting information at a conference or other event

A. A state officer or employee approved by the chief administrative officer of the agency to participate as a speaker or panel participant or otherwise to present information on behalf of the agency at a conference or other event may accept free attendance at the event on the day of his or her presentation when the free attendance is provided by the sponsor of the event. Approval by the chief administrative officer shall not be required for elected officials to participate in such events subject to the terms of this subsection. Free attendance may include meals, refreshments, entertainment, instruction and materials made available to other participants. The sponsor of the event may also provide transportation and lodging to the state officer or employee if transportation and lodging are made available to others participating as speakers, panel participants or presenters. The state officer or employee's spouse may also accept free attendance and participation in the event. The state officer or employee's spouse may also accept lodging but not transportation. The state officer or employee or the state officer or employee's spouse may not accept meals, refreshments, entertainment, transportation or lodging that are collateral to the event or that are not paid for by the sponsor of the event that would otherwise be prohibited by these Rules. No vendor or vendor's agent may pay for, or reimburse the sponsor of the event for, any gifts to the state officer or employee or the state officer or employee's spouse that are part of the free attendance and participation provided to the state officer or employee or the state officer or employee's spouse. However, membership dues or sponsorships customarily and historically paid by a vendor or vendor's agent to a sponsoring organization shall not be considered payment for, or reimbursement for, such costs.
B. A state officer or employee may accept a scholarship or similar grant or subsidy, including the costs of transportation, lodging, meals, refreshments, entertainment, instruction and materials made available to other participants, to participate in an educational or training event sponsored by a foreign government, the United States government, the government of another state or an organization to which the State of Oklahoma pays membership dues either for the State, a state agency or an individual state officer or employee.
C. A state officer or employee may accept a scholarship or similar grant or subsidy, including the costs of transportation, lodging, meals, refreshments, entertainment, instruction and materials made available to other participants, to participate in an educational or training event sponsored by a bona fide governmental, professional or business organization other than an organization described in Subsection (B), provided the state officer or employee files a report that includes the date or dates and location of the event, the name of the sponsoring organization or organizations, the name and job title and description of the state officer or employee participating, the subject matter of the event, the approximate value of the scholarship, grant or subsidy and the name of the person providing the scholarship, grant or subsidy. For non-elected state officers, the report shall include a certification by the chief administrative officer of the agency that employs the state officer or employee that the educational or training event will significantly assist the state officer or employee in discharging his or her duties. Forms for the reports shall be prescribed by the Executive Director. Reports shall be filed within thirty (30) days following the last day of the event and shall be displayed on the Commission website.
Promulgated by Ethics Commission January 10, 2014; effective upon Legislature’s sine die adjournment May 23, 2014; operative January 1, 2015.
Amendment promulgated by Ethics Commission January 9, 2015; effective upon sine die adjournment of the Legislature May 22, 2015; operative May 22, 2015.