R 4.507 Services as consideration.

Rule 7. (1) A lobbyist may exchange an honorarium, items, or services with a public official without violating the gift prohibition in section 11 of the act, MCL 4.421, when the public official provides a service of equal or greater value in exchange and the honorarium, items, or services are related to the provision of the public official’s services. (2) Honorarium and items related to provision of a service can include a payment of money, payment of the cost of food, lodging, travel, and the price of admission or registration for a conference or other event at which the public official is providing the service. (3) Services that may be provided as consideration include, but are not limited to, an appearance, speech, article, participation in a panel or seminar, or a similar activity that is connected to public business or the performance of official duties. (4) An honorarium, item, or service provided to a public official by a lobbyist that exceeds the gift limit is a prohibited gift within the meaning of section 11 of the act, MCL 4.421, unless it is clear from all of the surrounding circumstances that the service provided by the public official is of equal or greater value to the value of the honorarium, item, or service provided by the lobbyist. (5) To determine whether the services provided by the public official are of equal or greater value than the value of the honorarium, item, or service provided to the public official, the fair market value of similar services must be considered. (6) As used in this rule, service provided by a public official in exchange for an honorarium, item, or service from a lobbyist means the appearance, speech, article, participation, or any activity related to or associated with the performance of duties as a public official.