HAR §21-7-5. Offers of travel

(a) An offer of economy-class travel expenses, modest food and non-alcoholic beverages, and educational programming in connection with a bona fide professional development program, conference, or business meeting, generally may be accepted if receipt thereof is consistent with subsections (b) and (c) and section 21-7-2, provided that the recipient shall report the travel pursuant to section 84-11.5, HRS. (b) The following economy-class travel expenses, including modest meals and lodging, generally may be accepted and need not be reported on a gifts disclosure statement: UNOFFICIAL: These searchable/hyperlinked rules are unofficial and provided for convenience only. The official rules are available at https://ethics.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/TITLE21.pdf (1) Travel expenses paid for by the United States, any of its states or territories, or any political subdivision thereof; (2) Travel expenses provided pursuant to a grant to or a contractual agreement with the State, provided the benefit supports a bona fide state purpose; (3) Travel expenses provided to individuals to serve as chaperones to groups of public school students on student educational tours, where the tours are paid for by students or their guardians and are approved by the State of Hawaii Department of Education, and where the travel expenses are paid for by the organizing tour company or with a portion of fees collected from other travelers, provided that the tours are otherwise consistent with the December 2016 Settlement Agreement in HSTA v. Hawaii State Ethics Commission. (c) In determining whether an offer of travel is acceptable, the commission shall consider: (1) The donor’s relationship to the recipient. Generally, an offer of travel may not be accepted where the donor lobbies, seeks business with, or is regulated by the recipient’s agency; (2) The value of the trip, including all travel costs sponsored by the donor; and (3) Whether the travel supports a state purpose. Generally, offers of travel to events that lack significant educational content may not be accepted. Likewise, offers to attend entertainment events, such as golf, cruises, sporting events, or luxury meals, generally may not be accepted, even if they occur as part of an otherwise acceptable event. [Eff ] (Auth: HRS §84- 31(a)(5)) (Imp: HRS §§84-11, 84-11.5, 84-13)