Reporting of Plaques & Awards

Often, organizations and entities will present Members of the General Assembly with ‘Legislator of the Year’ awards or plaques in recognition of the Member’s public service.  These types of plaques and awards are almost always valued in excess of $75 and are reportable under the lobbying laws and the ethics laws pertaining to financial disclosure.

If the organization or entity presenting the gift is the employer of a legislative agent, and the value of the gift is over $25, the award or plaque must be disclosed on the corresponding Employer of a Legislative Agent Activity & Expenditure Report.  The employer a legislative agent must provide written notification to the recipient at least ten days before reporting the expenditure.  The Member will also disclose the award or plaque under Section 11 Non-disputed Information on their financial disclosure statement.

If the organization or entity presenting the Member with the award or plaque is not the employer of a legislative agent, but the value of the award or plaque is greater than $75, the Member must disclose the organization or entity as the source of a gift under Section 9 Gifts on their financial disclosure statement