The state’s new law limiting gifts to public officials doesn’t prohibit two lawmakers from traveling to the
The new act, which takes effect next Friday, prohibits public officials and candidates for state and local offices from accepting gifts with a value of more than $100 during legislative sessions and $250 the rest of the year. It also prohibits lobbyists from giving gifts whose combined value total more than $1,000 to any official or candidate each year.
Reps. William Gray of Artesia and Shirley Tyler of Lovington, both Republicans, asked Attorney General Gary King for an opinion on whether the trip would be prohibited under the new law.
King responded Wednesday, and said an exemption for an educational program that is related to the lawmakers’ duties applies in this instance.
“It is our understanding that LES, a registered lobbyist, is providing a gift to you by paying for your travel, food, and lodging,” King’s opinion states. “Based on our examination of the relevant New Mexico constitutional, statutory and case law authorities, and on the information available to us at this time, we conclude that the Gift Act is applicable and permits LES to pay for your trip as long as the payment constitutes reasonable expenses paid for a bona fide educational program that is directly related to your official duties as a legislator.”
“I very much appreciate that the legislators contacted us before leaving on this trip,” King said in a news release. “I believe that our office and state officials who are subject to this new ethics law can work together to assure New Mexicans that their tax dollars are being spent appropriately.”
King also made sure Tyler and Gray are aware of the provisions of the law that spell out what reasonable expenses apply to their trip and other limitations in the law.